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Reference data for head circumference-for-length in preterm low-birth-weight infants
A F Roche1, S S Guo, K Wholihan
1Department of Community Health, Wright State University, Yellow Springs, Ohio, USA.
Insights
This study provides essential head circumference-for-length reference data for preterm low-birth-weight infants, crucial for accurate clinical monitoring and growth assessment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric growth monitoring
- Neonatal and infant health assessment
- Biometric reference data development
Background:
- Accurate growth assessment is vital for preterm low-birth-weight infants.
- Existing reference data may not adequately cover the specific needs of this population.
- Age-independent reference data is needed for comprehensive evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish age-independent reference data for head circumference-for-length in preterm low-birth-weight infants.
- To cover head circumference ranges from 34-49 cm and length from 52.0-102.9 cm.
- To provide data applicable from birth up to 36 months of gestation-adjusted age.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 867 preterm infants across diverse ethnic groups.
- Collected serial measurements at 9 ages from birth to 36 months gestation-adjusted age.
- Employed a serial data modeling approach to estimate head circumference and length.
Main Results:
- Generated tables and charts detailing means, standard deviations, and percentiles for each sex.
- Data is stratified by birth weight categories: very low (< or = 1500 g) and low-birth-weight (1501-2500 g).
- Reference data is presented in 3-cm intervals of infant length.
Conclusions:
- The developed tables and charts serve as a valuable clinical tool.
- Aids clinicians in evaluating and monitoring head circumference in preterm low-birth-weight infants.
- Facilitates growth assessment by considering body length alongside head circumference.
Objective:
To provide reference data for head circumference-for-length in preterm low-birth-weight infants that are independent of age, but extend for the ranges of head circumference (34-49 cm) and length (52.0-102.9 cm) values found from birth to 36 months of gestation-adjusted age.
Design:
Measurements were made at 9 ages in 867 preterm infants in the Infant Health Development Program, a randomized clinical trial that included various ethnic groups at 8 sites. At birth, two thirds of the infants weighed less than 2000 g, and one third weighed between 2000 and 2500 g. Measurements were taken at birth, at 40 weeks of postconceptional age, and at 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months of gestation-adjusted age. A model fitted to the serial data for each infant was used to estimate head circumference and length from 36 weeks after conception to 36 months of gestation-adjusted age.
Results:
Tables and charts of means and SDs and selected percentiles for each sex were made. These tables and charts are for very low (< or = 1500 g) and low-birth-weight (1501-2500 g) infants by 3-cm intervals of length.
Conclusion:
These tables and charts should assist clinicians in evaluating and monitoring head circumference in preterm low-birth-weight infants by taking body length into account.