Catch-up and Catch-down Growth in Term Healthy Indian Infants From Birth to Two Years: A Prospective Cohort Study

Catch-up in the first two years of life may help in reducing the growth deficit.

To study growth pattern of term infants from birth to 2 years, focusing on catch-up and catch-down growth (increase or decrease in z-score >0.67) in weight and length.

Prospective birth cohort.

262 healthy term infants with birthweight 1800-4000 g.

Serial assessment of anthropometric parameters at birth, 3.5 month, 1 year and 2 year of age.

Proportion, timing and determinants of catch-up and catch-down growth.

Weight catch-up between birth to 3.5 mo, 1 y, and 2 y was seen in 18%, 41% and 38%; and weight catch-down in 27%, 25% and 23%, respectively. Between birth and 2 y, change in weight z-score was inversely related to birthweight (b -3.754, P<0.001) and directly to caloric intake at 2 y (b 0.003, P<0.001). Mean (SD) birthweights of infants with catch-up, steady growth and catch-down were 2.6 (0.4), 2.9 (0.4) and 3.1 (0.4) kg, respectively (P<0.001). Catch-up and catch-down in length between birth and 2 y were present in 30% and 33% of the infants, respectively. Length z-scores at 2 y but not at birth were positively correlated with mothers' (r=0.21, P=0.002) and fathers' height (r=0.22, P=0.001).

Nearly two-thirds of healthy term infants experienced either catch-up or catch-down in weight and length first 2 years of life. Infants' birthweight and length at birth, caloric intake, and parents' heights are important determinants of their growth patterns.