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Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
[Recommendations for the assessment of birth size and postnatal growth of preterm newborns]
Mariana Del Pino1, Ricardo Nieto2, Javier Meritano3
1Comité Nacional de Crecimiento y Desarrollo, Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría.
Insights
New INTERGROWTH-21st growth standards are recommended for newborn care, replacing older Fenton and Kim curves. These updated references provide better evaluation of infant size at birth and postnatal development.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Accurate newborn size and growth standards are crucial for guiding infant care practices.
- Previous references, such as Fenton and Kim, have been widely used but are now being superseded.
- The INTERGROWTH-21st project offers updated, prescriptive growth standards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To recommend the adoption of the INTERGROWTH-21st growth standards for neonatal assessment in Argentina.
- To replace the previously utilized Fenton and Kim growth curves with newer, more comprehensive standards.
Main Methods:
- The INTERGROWTH-21st project developed prescriptive standards for size at birth (from 33 weeks gestation) and postnatal growth (from 27 weeks gestation).
- References for early gestational ages (24 to 32.6 weeks) were also established.
- The Argentine Society of Pediatrics' committees and the National Government of Health endorsed these new standards.
Main Results:
- The INTERGROWTH-21st standards provide comprehensive growth evaluation from early gestation through postnatal development.
- These new standards are recommended to replace the Fenton and Kim curves in clinical practice.
- The adoption of INTERGROWTH-21st standards aims to improve the evaluation and care of newborns.
Conclusions:
- The INTERGROWTH-21st standards represent a significant advancement in neonatal growth assessment.
- Official recommendation in Argentina supports the transition from Fenton and Kim to INTERGROWTH-21st curves.
- This shift is expected to enhance the quality of care for newborns through improved growth monitoring.
Abstract:
It is unquestionable the need to have standards of size at birth and growth to evaluate and contribute to guide the actions in the care of the newborn. For many years the references of Lejarraga and Fustiñana were used, progressively replaced by those of Fenton and Kim. However, recently, the INTERGROWTH-21st project has developed prescriptive growth standards to evaluate the size at birth from 33 weeks of gestational age, references from 24 to 32.6 weeks of gestational age, and curves for postnatal growth from 27 weeks of gestational age onward. The Growth and Development and Neonatal Fetal Studies Committees of the Argentine Society of Pediatrics in conjunction with the Secretary of National Government of Health agreed to recommend the replacement of the Fenton and Kim curves with those of INTERGROWTH-21st.
