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Updated: May 21, 2026

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Two distinct growth patterns of preterm infants from birth to 18 months of corrected gestational age: a retrospective

Jiayu Wang1, Gaopan Shang2, Mei He2

  • 1Institute of Pediatrics, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Translational Pediatrics
|May 20, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants show two growth patterns: lower and higher. Maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, twin pregnancy, and being small for gestational age increase the risk of lower growth trajectories.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Growth and Development

Background:

  • Understanding long-term growth trajectories in preterm infants is crucial.
  • Maternal and infant risk factors influencing these trajectories require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify distinct multidimensional growth trajectories in preterm infants.
  • To investigate maternal and infant risk factors associated with these growth patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of 68 preterm infants followed to 18 months corrected age.
  • Utilized Z-scores for weight, length, and head circumference (WAZ, LAZ, HCAZ, WLZ).
  • Applied group-based multi-trajectory modeling and Poisson regression for risk factor analysis.

Main Results:

  • Identified two growth trajectories: a lower pattern (approx. 40% of infants) and a higher pattern (approx. 60%).
  • Significant risk factors for lower growth included small for gestational age (SGA), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDOP), and twin pregnancy.
  • Specific RR and CI values were reported for each identified risk factor.

Conclusions:

  • A notable percentage of preterm infants are susceptible to suboptimal growth post-discharge.
  • Infants with low birthweight, maternal HDOP exposure, or from twin pregnancies necessitate enhanced monitoring and tailored nutritional support.
Abstract

Keywords:
Preterm infantsbirthweightgroup-based multi-trajectory modeling (GBMTM)hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDOP)pattern

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