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Postnatal somatic growth in infants with atypical fetal growth patterns
Insights
Newborns exhibit distinct postnatal growth patterns based on fetal development. Some infants with low ponderal indices catch up, while short infants continue slow growth, indicating two types of fetal growth restriction.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Human Growth and Development
Background:
- Fetal growth patterns significantly influence neonatal physical development.
- Understanding postnatal growth trajectories is crucial for identifying distinct types of fetal growth restriction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate postnatal physical growth patterns in term newborns based on their somatic fetal growth.
- To analyze the growth trajectories of infants categorized by ponderal index and crown-heel length at birth.
Main Methods:
- Statistical analysis of attained and velocity growth during the first postnatal year.
- Categorization of 61 full-term newborns into four groups based on birth measurements: normal, overweight for length, underweight for length, and short for dates.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in postnatal growth were observed between short infants and those with low ponderal indices.
- Short infants displayed a continuous slow growth pattern mirroring their fetal development.
- Infants born with low ponderal indices demonstrated accelerated weight gain, improving their nutritional status post-birth.
Conclusions:
- Two distinct patterns of fetal growth retardation exist, characterized by different postnatal growth trajectories.
- Postnatal growth analysis can help distinguish between types of fetal growth restriction and predict outcomes.
Abstract:
We differentiate patterns of postnatal physical growth in 61 fullterm newborns with either normal or atypical somatic fetal growth. At birth, 14 normal babies had average ponderal indices, 14 were overweight for length (high ponderal index), 18 were underweight for length (low ponderal index), and 15 had short crown-heel lengths for dates and normal ponderal indices. Appropriate statistical analyses determined attained and velocity growth of the four groups during the first postnatal year. Statistically significant and marked differences in postnatal growth were noted between short babies and babies with low ponderal indices. The slow postnatal growth of the short infants appeared to be a continuum of their fetal growth pattern. On the other hand, infants born with low ponderal indices accelerated their weight gains and reversed the malnourished state in which they were born. These findings suggest that there are two distinct types of fetal growth retardation.