Evaluation of growth in very low birth weight preterm babies

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate physical growth of very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm babies at a mean age of three years and to investigate the factors which affected growth. Material and Methods:The factors including maternal problems, prenatal problems, early neonatal problems, nutrition, familial socioeconomical status and presence of chronic disease which affected catch-up growth in terms of height and weight in VLBW infants followed up in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of our hospital were examined. The target height formula was used in assessment of growht in height and the contribution of genetic properties was investigated. The points of the subjects on the growth curve were plotted according to the Percentile Curve of the Turkish Children prepared by Neyzi et al. The states of the subjects with and without intrauterine growth retardation (were compared. The study was intitiated after obtaining approval from the ethics committeee of our hospital (100/25.10.2005). Results:One hundred and seventeen preterm babies (57 females and 60 males) with a mean adjusted age of 35.8±2.39 80 of whom were appropriate for gestational age (AGA), 28 of whom were symmetrical (small gestational age) SGA and 9 of whom were asymmetrical SGA were included in the study. The mean gestational age (GA) was found to be 31±2.16 weeks and the mean birth weight (BW) was found to be 1271±226 g. The mean current height was found to be 92.06±4.90 cm. The mean weight was found to be 12.98±1.94 kg. The mean target height was calculated to be 163.66±8.1 cm (157.20 cm for the girls and 170.20 cm for the boys). It was found that 15 preterm babies (12.8%) could not achieve the target height (girls: 6%, boys: 6.8%). The risk factors related with failure to achieve target height were found to include ventilator treatment, presence of chronic disease, advanced stage intracranial bleeding (ICB), posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, absence of breastfeeding, failure to sit at the table with the family and malnutrition. The maternal age, early rupture of membranes (PROM), preeclampsia, smoking, early neonatal problems, gender, being AGA and SGA, gestational age, birth weight and socioeconomical level were statistically insignificant in terms of achieving target height (p>0.05). Conclusions:If very low birth weight preterm babies have no chronic disease and condition leading to neurodevelopmental retardation and if they are breastfed early and continuously (0-24 months), they can achieve catch-up growth similar to term babies. In examination of growth in terms of height, using target height may be more appropriate to shown the genetic potential. (Türk Ped Arş 2014; 49: 289-98)

Catch-Up Growth, Rapid Weight Growth, and Continuous Growth from Birth to 6 Years of Age in Very-Preterm-Born Children

“…Catch-up growth happened more quickly when infants were PF-fed whereas BF infants increased in weight and length/height over a longer period of time; this indicates a possible difference in growth potential influenced by feeding. Other studies have found that partially BF preterm-born children up to 24 months of age facilitated catch-up growth similar to that of BF term-born infants [17]. This indicates that breast milk possibly contains nutrients that promote long-term growth also in preterm-born infants.…”

The Post-Discharge Growth of Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants

“…In a longitudinal long-term study, Tenovuo et al (12) reported that SGA premature infants also caught up on growth as AGA infants at two years of age. Yeşinel et al (13) found that gestational age, AGA, SGA, and gender did not cause a significant difference in VLBW premature infants in terms of reaching the target height. Likewise, in the present study, no difference was seen between the catch-up growth of SGA and AGA infants in their 2 nd year of age; although the catch-up rate of SGA infants was detected to be lower than that of AGA infants during their follow-up, until their 2 nd year of age.…”

Neurodevelopmental and Somatic Growth Outcomes of Premature IUGR Newborns with Absent or Reversed End-diastolic Flow on Umblical Artery Doppler

“…(25) 32 haftanın altındaki prematürelerde (36 aylık) boyca geriliği %12,8 olarak rapor etmişlerdir. Büyüme geriliğinde ventilatör tedavisi, ileri evre İKK, hidrosefali, anne sütü alamama ve nörogelişimsel gerilik risk faktörleri olarak bildirilmiştir.…”