Publication

Abstract :

Objectives

To compare the growth of preterm neonates with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and preterm neonates born appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) from birth to 12–18 mo of corrected age (CA).

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, 85 preterm neonates with FGR and 85 gestation- and gender-matched AGA neonates were followed up from birth till 12–18 mo corrected age. Anthropometric indices were compared at specific time points and the risk factors for underweight status were analyzed.

Results

Mean gestational age of the cohort was 32.8 ± 2.1 wk. Mean birth weight was 1414 ± 248 g in the FGR and 1806 ± 416 g in AGA neonates. At 12–18 mo of corrected age, a significantly greater proportion of FGR infants were wasted (24.3% vs. 7.2%, P = 0.005). A greater proportion of FGR infants were underweight (27% vs. 17.4%, P = 0.11), stunted (41.9% vs. 36.2%, P = 0.30), and microcephalic (27% vs. 23.1%, P = 0.36), although the differences were not statistically significant. Significant catch-up growth from 40 wk postmenstrual age (PMA) to 12–18 mo corrected age in weight (52.8% vs. 13.1%, P <0.001) and length (37.9% vs. 8.7%, P <0.001) was observed in the FGR neonates. The z-score of weight for age at 3 mo (adjusted OR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.52–0.8; P <0.001), the median time to full feeds (aOR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04–1.15; P = 0.001), and hypothyroidism (aOR 2.44, 95% CI: 1.46–4.08; P = 0.001), were independent predictors of underweight status at 12–18 mo.

Conclusions

At 12–18 mo of corrected age, a significantly greater proportion of preterm FGR neonates were wasted compared to AGA ones. The former also exhibited significantly greater catch-up growth than the latter.