Perinatology.  2017 Jun;28(2):41-46. 10.14734/PN.2017.28.2.41.

The Clinical Features Based on Different Weight Percentile in Appropriate for Gestational Age Preterm Infants

• Kim KH
• Jung YJ

• KMID: 2386352
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14734/PN.2017.28.2.41

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine whether different weight percentiles influence the clinical characteristics and growth in appropriate for gestational age preterm infants.
METHODS
We collected data retrospectively on preterm infants (n=176; gestational age <35 weeks; birth weight <2,500 g) admitted to neonatal intensive care unit from March 2009 to August 2010. Infants were divided according to birth and weight loss percentile during the admission period.
RESULTS
A total of 161 infants were included in the study. Study data showed that the birth percentiles of 135 (84%) infants decreased at discharge and the rest 26 (16%) remained the same. Female infants were discharged at a significantly lower weight percentile than male. Infants with high birth weight percentile had a reduced weight percentile at discharge. For the infants with decreased weight percentile at discharge the length of birth weight recovery was longer and the maximal weight loss was greater (P<0.05). And considering their weights at discharge, these infants also showed a statistically higher percentage of extrauterine growth restriction.
CONCLUSION
Even though infant's weight is appropriate for gestational age, premature infants possibly fail to keep up with their birth weight percentile and show extrauterine growth restriction at discharge. Therefore, we should make more efforts to prevent postnatal growth failure for the appropriate growth.

Keyword

Birth weight; Growth; Preterm infants

MeSH Terms

Birth Weight
Female
Gestational Age*
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature*
Intensive Care, Neonatal
Male
Parturition
Retrospective Studies
Weight Loss
Weights and Measures

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Flowchart of the preterm infants’ group by weight percentile at birth and discharge. GA, gestational age; BW, birth weight; AGA, appropriate for gestational age; SGA, small gestational for age; LGA, large for gestational age.

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  Fig. 2 Group classification according to (A) weight percentiles of intrauterine growth and (B) different weight percentile between birth and discharge.

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