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Characteristics at four months follow-up of infants born small for gestational age: a controlled study
D G Newman1, M J O'Callaghan, J M Harvey
1Mater Misericordiae Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Insights
Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants showed significant catch-up growth by 4 months. While developmental scores were slightly lower, maternal stress at 4 months impacted SGA infant development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants are at risk for adverse outcomes.
- Understanding factors influencing SGA infant growth and development is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare growth, development, temperament, and neurological signs in SGA and control infants at 4 months corrected age.
- To investigate the predictive role of growth restriction type and maternal mood on SGA infant outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study comparing 65 SGA and 71 control infants at 4 months corrected age.
- Utilized Griffith's developmental assessment and neuromotor examinations.
- Assessed maternal mood and infant temperament via surveys.
Main Results:
- SGA infants demonstrated substantial catch-up growth, with most exceeding the 3rd and 10th percentiles for weight.
- SGA infants had slightly lower Griffith's General Quotient (GQ) scores but were rated as more manageable in temperament.
- No significant differences in subtle neuromotor signs were observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- SGA infants exhibit significant catch-up growth by 4 months.
- Maternal stress and anxiety at 4 months, but not at birth, were associated with lower developmental scores in SGA infants.
- Type of growth restriction and maternal mood at birth did not predict catch-up growth or neuromotor outcomes.
Abstract:
This prospective study compared 65 small-for-gestational-age (SGA) (birth weight < 3rd centile) and 71 control infants at a corrected age of 4 months. It was hypothesised that differences would exist in growth, development, temperament and minor neurological signs and that these would be predicted by type (proportional/disproportional) of growth restriction at birth and maternal mood disturbance at birth or at 4 months. Infants had a Griffith's developmental test and neuromotor assessment. Maternal mood and infant temperament were surveyed. Few differences were found between SGA and control infants. SGA infants showed catch-up growth with 63% being above the third percentile and 43% being above the tenth percentile for weight. SGA infants had lower Griffith's GQ scores (97 vs. 102, P = 0.02) and they were rated in temperament as more manageable than controls. There were no differences in subtle neuromotor signs. Neither type of SGA nor maternal mood disturbance at birth had prognostic significance for infant catch up growth, neuromotor scores, or temperament though level of maternal stress and anxiety at 4 months were related to lower GQ scores in SGA infants.