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Growth outcome of the very low-birth-weight infant at one year
Insights
Growth patterns in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants show sex and intrauterine growth differences. Female appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants achieved higher growth percentiles, while head circumference (OFC) growth was consistently near norms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Growth and Development
Background:
- Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants often experience altered growth trajectories.
- Assessing growth patterns is crucial for identifying potential developmental issues in preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the growth patterns of weight, length, and occipitofrontal circumference (OFC) in VLBW infants up to 12 months corrected age.
- To compare growth based on sex and appropriateness of intrauterine growth (AGA vs. SGA).
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 122 VLBW infants (birth weight ≤1,500 gm, gestational age ≤35 weeks).
- Growth parameters (weight, length, OFC) tracked through 12 months corrected age.
- Comparison with NCHS term infant growth norms; assessment of weight-for-length appropriateness.
Main Results:
- Significant growth differences observed between sexes and intrauterine growth groups.
- Female AGA infants showed higher percentile growth for weight, length, and OFC compared to norms.
- Male AGA, male SGA, and female SGA infants exhibited similar, lower percentile growth for weight and length.
- OFC growth was closest to term norms across all subgroups.
- At 12 months, 30% were below the 5th percentile for weight, 21% for length, and 14% for OFC; 15% had disproportionately low weight-for-length.
Conclusions:
- Sex and intrauterine growth status significantly impact VLBW infant growth patterns up to 12 months corrected age.
- While most infants achieved appropriate weight-for-length, a notable proportion remained below growth percentiles, highlighting the need for continued monitoring.
- Head circumference growth appears more robust in VLBW infants compared to weight and length growth.
Abstract:
Growth patterns of weight, length, and OFC complete through 12 months corrected age were determined for 122 VLBW infants who weighed 1,500 gm. or less and were 35 weeks or less gestational age at birth. Significant differences in growth were apparent when infants were grouped according to sex and appropriateness of intrauterine growth. When the mean values of each group were compared, the female AGA infants demonstrated growth at higher percentiles (NCHS term infant norms) for all three growth parameters (weight, length, and OFC). AGA male, SGA male, and SGA female infants all grew similarly, at lower percentiles for weight and length, when compared with the same norms. Growth in OFC was closest to term infant norms in all subgroups of infants. (formula; see text) Appropriateness of weight for length was determined for each of the infants at one year corrected age. The majority of the babies, regardless of subgroup, achieved weights and lengths greater than the 5th percentile and with normal weights for lengths. At 12 months corrected age, 30% remained below the 5th percentile in weight, 21% below the 5th percentile in length, and 14% below the 5th percentile in OFC. Eighteen infants (15%) demonstrated a disproportionately low weight for length (less than the 5th percentile).