Growth Status of Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Lee, Jae Jin; Park, Mi Jung; Kim, Sang Woo; Kim, Duk Hee

Abstract

PURPOSE: With the advancement of perinatal care, the survival rate of very low birth weight(VLBW) infants has been increasing. Therefore, the outcome of postnatal growth status needs to be studied. The purpose of this study was to compare the postnatal growth status and the related factors in order to determine the incidence of catch-up growth.
METHODS
This study was carried out with the 86 children(1-8.9 yrs, mean age 4.2+/-2.2 yrs, 43 males and 43 females) born in VLBW infants at Inje University Sannggye Paik Hospital, from September 1989 to August 1998. Mean gestational age was 30.3+/-2.5weeks, mean birth weight was 1,281+/-171g and mean birth height was 39.0+/-2.2cm.
RESULTS
1)Mean height standard deviation score was -1.14+/-1.28. Mean weight standard deviation score was -0.20+/-1.35. 2)Of the entire study group of the 86 children, 6 children(7%) were below -2 in height SDS and 5 children(6%) were below -2 in weight SDS. 3)Height SDS correlated with birth weight(r=0.26, P<0.05) and midparental height(r=0.26, P<0.05). Height SDS was not correlated with gestational age and birth height. 4)There were no significant difference of height SDS and weight SDS between high-dose dexamethasone treated group by bronchopulmonary dysplasia and untreated group.
CONCLUSION
Height SDS and weight SDS increased by the age. Current height SDS was significantly correlated with birth weight and midparental height. To clarify the factors that influence the growth status of VLBW infants, further longitudinal studies with more patients will be needed.