Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Author Spotlight: Marmoset Research - Scope and Challenges
04:52

Author Spotlight: Marmoset Research - Scope and Challenges

Published on: June 9, 2023

2.7K

Racial and ethnic disparities in postnatal growth of infants born before 30 weeks of gestation

Fu-Sheng Chou1,2,3,4, Hung-Wen Yeh5,6, Crystal Hsueh7

  • 1Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Pasadena, CA, USA. Fu-Sheng.X.Chou@kp.org.

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|February 4, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Racial and ethnic disparities affect premature infant growth. Black infants had lower birth weight z-scores but regained weight fastest, while Hispanic infants showed the slowest growth velocity.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Growth Studies
  • Perinatal Health Disparities

Background:

  • Premature infants (<30 weeks gestation) experience unique growth trajectories.
  • Understanding racial and ethnic variations in growth is crucial for optimizing care.
  • Existing data on disparities in early growth phases for extremely preterm infants is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate racial and ethnic disparities in birth weight (BW), time to BW regain, and mean growth velocity.
  • To analyze growth patterns in infants born between 23 and 29 weeks' gestation across different racial/ethnic groups.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of a de-identified dataset (2010-2020) from Pediatrix Medical Group.
  • Inclusion of 76,145 infants born between 23-29 weeks gestation.
  • Utilized inverse propensity weighting to balance antenatal confounders across racial and ethnic groups (Asian, Hispanic, Black, White, Other).

Main Results:

  • Black infants exhibited the lowest BW z-scores compared to White infants, but achieved BW regain fastest.
  • Hispanic infants demonstrated the lowest mean growth velocity during the accelerated growth phase.
  • Significant racial and ethnic variations were observed in multiple postnatal growth parameters.

Conclusions:

  • Postnatal growth disparities in extremely preterm infants are complex and vary by growth phase.
  • Racial and ethnic background influences birth weight, weight regain, and growth velocity in preterm neonates.
  • Tailored interventions may be necessary to address specific growth challenges faced by different racial and ethnic groups.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Enhancing the Development and Growth of Infant Cerebral Palsy Rats Using Selective Spinal Manipulations05:04

Enhancing the Development and Growth of Infant Cerebral Palsy Rats Using Selective Spinal Manipulations

Published on: February 2, 2024

995
A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect05:04

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

Published on: September 22, 2023

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

The Born-Haber Cycle02:44

The Born-Haber Cycle

Lattice Energy 
25.4K
Population Growth00:57

Population Growth

Population size is dynamic, increasing with birth rates and immigration, and decreasing with death rates and emigration. In ideal conditions with unlimited resources, populations can increase exponentially, which plots as a J-shaped growth rate curve of population size against time. This type of curve is characteristic of newly-introduced invasive species, or populations that have suffered catastrophic declines and are rebounding.
28.6K
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture01:27

Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture

Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
344
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
5.0K
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
306
Meristems and Plant Growth02:36

Meristems and Plant Growth

Plants grow throughout their lives; this is called indeterminate growth, and it distinguishes plants from most animals. Although certain parts of plants stop growing (e.g., leaves and flowers), others grow continuously—like roots and stems.
49.6K