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[The growth of the low-birth-weight neonate: assessment at 3 years]
C Romagnoli1, R Luciano, C Rizzo
1Divisione di Neonatologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Roma.
Insights
Low-birth-weight (LBW) neonates, especially those born very prematurely, face a high risk of growth failure up to three years of age. Gestational age significantly correlates with persistent subnormal weight, length, and head circumference in these infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Growth and Development
- Perinatal Medicine
Context:
- Low-birth-weight (LBW) neonates often experience growth challenges post-discharge.
- Longitudinal follow-up is crucial for assessing growth trajectories in vulnerable infants.
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) graduates require monitoring for long-term developmental outcomes.
Purpose:
- To investigate the correlation between gestational age (GA) and growth failure in LBW neonates.
- To evaluate weight, length, and head circumference attainment at 3 years of age.
- To identify specific GA groups at higher risk for persistent growth deficits.
Summary:
- A 3-year follow-up study assessed 182 LBW neonates categorized by GA (<=30, 31-33, 34-36, >=37 weeks).
- Subnormal weight (<10th percentile) persisted at 3 years in 16.7% of the most premature and 16.6% of term LBW infants.
- Term LBW infants showed persistent subnormal length (15.6%), while head circumference deficits varied across GA groups, notably higher in term infants (30%).
Impact:
- Findings highlight the long-term growth implications of prematurity and LBW.
- Identifies specific risk factors (GA) for targeted interventions in growth-impaired neonates.
- Informs clinical practice regarding the necessity of extended growth monitoring for LBW infants.
Abstract:
Follow-up studies of low-birth-weight (LBW) neonates have shown a high incidence of growth failure in the first years of life. We evaluated the growth attainment (weight, length and head circumference) in 182 LBW neonates discharged from our Intensive Care Unit between 1982-84 and included in a 3 years follow-up program. The aim of the study is to analyze the correlation between gestational age (GA) and subsequent growth failure. Neonates included in the study were divided in 4 groups (G) according to GA: I G < or = 30 weeks GA; II G = 31-33 weeks GA; III G = 34-36 weeks GA; IV G > or = 37 weeks of gestational age. Growth was evaluated at 40 weeks GA on the basis of Lubchenco and Battaglia centiles, and thereafter at 12, 24 and 36 months according to Scalamandrè greeds. Subnormal weight (< 10 degrees centile) was still evident at 3 years of age in 16.7% of the most premature babies (group I), in 6.2% of babies born between 31 and 33 weeks GA (group II), in 7.1% of babies in group III and in 16.6% of LBW babies born at term of gestation (group IV). Length measurements were satisfactory in PT babies as none of them showed a length < 10 degrees centile by 24 months of age. On the contrary, in the term LBW neonates group 15.6% of babies still showed subnormal length at 3 years of age. Head circumference remained < 10 degrees centile in 16.6% in the I group, in 6.2% in the II group, 21% in the III group and 30% in the IV group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)