J Korean Soc Neonatol.  2003 Nov;10(2):115-124.

Failure to Thrive of Very Low Birth Weight Infants up to Corrected 18 Months of Age

• Shim JW
• Whang JH
• Choi CW
• Chang YS
• Park WS

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and contributing factors of failure to thrive (FTT) up to corrected 18 months of age in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: Medical records of 98 VLBW infants admitted to NICU of Samsung Medical Center from January 1996 to December 2000, were reviewed retrospectively whose follow-up's were possible up to corrected 18 months of age. We defined FTT as failure to achieve body weight below 10th percentile of standard Korean infant's growth curve for appropriate corrected age. We investigated maternal, neonatal risk factors for FTT and changing pattern of growth parameters. RESULTS: The risk factors of FTT in VLBW infants were birth weight, gestational age, RDS, BPD, durations of ventilator care, TPN and hospitalization. When corrected for birth weight and gestational age, only duration of hospitalization remained to be a significant risk factor. Unlike body weight, height attained 10th percentile at corrected 15 months for VLBW infants, 18 months for extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. Head circumference attained 10th percentile more earlier at corrected 5 months for VLBW infants, 12 months for ELBW infants, respectively. Catch up growth occurred in the order of head circumference followed by height. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for FTT in VLBW infants and ELBW infants is multifactorial. To enhance optimal growth and development of VLBW infants, further studies on nutritional management related to enteral feeding is needed.

Keyword

Failure to thrive; Catch-up growth; Very low birth weight infants

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Body Weight
Enteral Nutrition
Failure to Thrive*
Gestational Age
Growth and Development
Head
Hospitalization
Humans
Incidence
Infant*
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*
Medical Records
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Ventilators, Mechanical