Growth Pattern of Preterm Neonates with Fetal Growth Restriction: A Prospective Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Neonatalogy
• Pediatric Growth and Development
• Perinatal Medicine

Background:

• Fetal growth restriction (FGR) impacts preterm neonate development.
• Understanding growth trajectories in preterm infants is crucial for long-term health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare growth patterns between preterm neonates with FGR and those born appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA).
• To assess anthropometric indices and identify risk factors for underweight status up to 12-18 months corrected age.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of 85 preterm FGR and 85 matched AGA neonates.
• Follow-up from birth to 12-18 months corrected age, comparing anthropometric indices.
• Analysis of risk factors for underweight status.

Main Results:

• Significantly higher proportion of FGR infants were wasted (24.3% vs. 7.2%) at 12-18 months corrected age (P=0.005).
• FGR neonates exhibited significantly greater catch-up growth in weight (52.8% vs. 13.1%) and length (37.9% vs. 8.7%) from 40 weeks postmenstrual age (P<0.001).
• Independent predictors of underweight status included low weight z-score at 3 months, delayed full feeds, and hypothyroidism.

Conclusions:

• Preterm FGR neonates have a higher prevalence of wasting compared to AGA neonates up to 18 months corrected age.
• Preterm FGR infants demonstrate significantly enhanced catch-up growth in weight and length compared to AGA infants.