Longitudinal study of the physical catch-up growth in 84 preterm appropriate for gestational age infants.
- Author:
Mei-Ling TONG
1
;
Min ZHANG
;
Xia CHI
;
Qin HONG
;
Ning-Nan JIANG
;
Ting-Xiu ZHANG
;
Shu-Juan DOU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Body Height; Body Weight; Female; Gestational Age; Head; growth & development; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; growth & development; Longitudinal Studies; Male
- From: Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2011;13(1):12-15
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo study the growth rhythm of preterm appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants by investigating their physical catch-up growth characteristics.
METHODSEighty-four preterm AGA newborns (44 males and 40 females) with gestational ages between 28-36 weeks were enrolled. The weight, length and head circumference were evaluated by Z score according to the criterions of actual and corrected ages.
RESULTSThe preterm infants had the catch-up growth in weight, length and head circumference in the first year of life. The growth velocity within the first three months was the highest. The velocity in the weight catch-up was higher than that in the length.
CONCLUSIONSThe fastest growing period is the early three month of life in preterm AGA infants. The catch-up growth in weight and length is unbalanced.
