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[Post-natal growth of the child born with intra-uterine malnutrition]
Insights
Children born with intrauterine malnutrition and prematurity experienced accelerated growth initially but showed reduced length by age two. Developmental assessments revealed subnormal cognitive function in half of the malnourished group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Intrauterine malnutrition and prematurity are significant risk factors for adverse child development.
- Early childhood growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes require careful monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the growth patterns and neurodevelopmental outcomes of children born with intrauterine malnutrition and prematurity.
- To compare these outcomes with those of normal-birth-weight children.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study tracking growth and morbidity in three groups of children: intrauterine malnutrition, prematurity, and normal birth weight.
- Gesell test administered at two years of age to assess neurodevelopmental status.
Main Results:
- Malnourished and premature children exhibited a faster growth rate, catching up to normal growth by one year of age.
- However, premature children had significantly shorter length compared to normal children at two years of age.
- Fifty percent of malnourished children scored subnormally on the Gesell test at two years.
Conclusions:
- While catch-up growth is observed, intrauterine malnutrition and prematurity can lead to persistent deficits in physical growth and neurodevelopment.
- Early identification and intervention are crucial for improving long-term outcomes in at-risk infants.
Abstract:
Growth and morbidity were studied in a group of children at one and two years of age of which 10 were born with intrauterine malnutrition, 14 were prematures and nine had normal weight. All were evaluated , according to the Gesell test, at two years of age. Malnourished and premature children grew at greater rate than normals, reaching their size at one year of age. However, at the age of two, length of premature children was less than in normals. Gesell's test results were subnormal in 50 percent of the malnourished ones.