scholarly journals Characteristics of Catch-Up Growth in Very Low Birth Weight Infants (<1500 g)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teodoro Durá-Travé ◽  
Isabel San Martín-García ◽  
Fidel Gallinas-Victoriano ◽  
María Malumbres-Chacón ◽  
Paula Moreno-González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Small For Gestational Age ◽  
Very Low Birth Weight ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Low Birth Weight Infants ◽  
Normal Height ◽  
Appropriate For Gestational Age ◽  
Catch Up

Features of catch-up growth are not well established in very low birth weight infants (VLBW). The aim of this study is to analyze the catch-up growth in height and some factors associated in a cohort of VLBW (<1500 g) from birth to age 14 years. Retrospective registration of weight and height at birth and ages 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 years in a cohort of 170 VLBW have been recorded Anthropometric variables were compared with those from a control group. Sixty-nine (40.6%) were small for gestational age (SGA subgroup) and 101 (59.4%) were appropriate for gestational age (AGA subgroup). Thirty-seven (21.8%) were extremely low birth weight (ELBW), and 32 (18.8%) extremely preterm (EPT). At age 2, 4 and 10 years, 49.4%, 78.9% and 87.1% VLBW, respectively, did reach normal height. Between 4 and 10 years of age, only 8.2% of VLBW reached normal height. At 10 years of age, 7% of VLBW (1000–1500 g) and 35% of ELBW (<1500 g) showed short stature (p = 0.001). Almost the entire sample of VLBW with normal height at age 2, 4 and 10 have reached an adequate catch-up growth in weight in the previous evaluations. ELBW, SGA and EPT were found to be independent predictors for inadequate catch-up growth in height at 2, 4, and 10 years of age. The growth pattern of children born preterm has particular features: they have a lower rate and/or slowness in the catch-up growth in height with respect to that described in full-term small-for-gestational-age infants. Catch-up in weight appears to be a decisive factor for catch-up in height, and, on this basis, we recommend a rigorous nutritional follow-up in these individuals. If these measures do not help improve catch-up in height, they may be eligible for the establishment of rhGH therapy.

Serum Thymic Hormone Activity and Cell-Mediated Immunity in Healthy Neonates, Preterm Infants, and Small-for-Gestational Age Infants

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-411
Author(s):  
R. K. Chandra
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Small For Gestational Age ◽  
Lymphocyte Stimulation ◽  
Cell Mediated Immunity ◽  
Low Birth Weight Infants ◽  
Thymic Hormone ◽  
Appropriate For Gestational Age

Groups of healthy, small-for-gestational age (SGA) and preterm appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) infants were studied at birth, 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months of age. Serum thymic hormone (TH) activity was assayed, the number of T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood was counted, and in vitro lymphocyte stimulation responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were evaluated. TH activity was decreased in 1-month-old SGA infants. T cells were reduced in all low birth weight infants; the number reverted to normal by 3 months of age in preterm AGA infants, whereas it remained low for at least 12 months in the SGA group. Lymphocyte stimulation response was decreased in low birth weight infants; the extent of depression paralleled reduction in T lymphocyte number. These observations indicate that cell-mediated immunity is impaired in low birth weight newborns and reduced TH activity may be one of the pathogenetic factors involved. Persistent depression of immunocompetence may underlie the increased susceptibility of SGA infants to infection-related morbidity and mortality.

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

2020 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Tuba Ozdemir ◽  
Abdullah Baris Akcan ◽  
Munevver Kaynak Turkmen
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Very Low Birth Weight ◽  
Ductus Arteriosus ◽  
Somatic Growth ◽  
Growth Time ◽  
Appropriate For Gestational Age ◽  
Catch Up

<p>OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we investigate the growth characteristics of very low birth weight premature infants of up to two years corrected age, considering the factors affecting growth and catch-up growth time.</p><p>STUDY DESIGN: The demographic data, clinical features, and comorbidities of 77 preterm infants with birth weights of less than or equal to 1.500 g were examined, the infants’ growth statuses in the 40th gestational week (gw) and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months the corrected age, including their weight, height and head circumference, were evaluated.</p><p>RESULTS: The findings revealed that very low birth weight infants should be closely monitored either during their stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or for up to 6 months corrected age, paying particular attention to growth data, and the appropriate supportive treatment should be administered. The applied support process is influential on the future somatic growth of preterm infants. It was noted in the study that bronchopulmonary dysplasia, proven sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome, steroid treatment for more than three days, patent ductus arteriosus, and ibuprofen treatment seemed to affect somatic growth negatively.</p><p>CONCLUSION: Small for gestational age newborns were found to catch up with appropriate for gestational age newborns at 2 years corrected age in terms of growth, although the percentage of catch-up growth during follow-up at the 40thgw, and at the 6th, 12th and 18th months was lower than that of appropriate for gestational age newborns.</p>

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