Primary follow-up care in a multidisciplinary setting enhances catch-up growth of very-low-birth-weight infants.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of multidisciplinary primary care follow-up, which included the services of a registered dietitian, on growth outcomes of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants.


METHODS
Data were obtained retrospectively from medical records. Forty-two infants receiving follow-up care on an as needed basis from the general pediatric clinic were compared with 33 infants receiving multidisciplinary follow-up care that included routine nutrition intervention from the comprehensive care clinic. Comparisons were made in weight, length, and head circumference measurements; growth rates; and catch-up growth (defined as > or = 5th percentile on growth charts of the National Center for Health Statistics attained by 12 months growth-corrected age).


METHODS
VLBW infants (< or = 1,500 g at birth) were selected from both follow-up groups.


METHODS
Chi 2 Analysis compared the proportions of infants in each group who achieved catch-up growth. Unpaired t tests compared group means in weight, length, and head circumference measurements and growth rates.


RESULTS
The two groups differed significantly in the number of infants exhibiting catch-up growth for length and head circumference. At 8 months growth-corrected age, 7 (28%) of the general pediatric clinic infants were at the 5th percentile or greater for length compared with 21 (64%) of the comprehensive care clinic infants (P < .01); 15 (60%) of the general pediatric clinic group and 30 (91%) of the comprehensive care clinic group were at the 5th percentile or greater for head circumference (P < .05). At 12 months growth-corrected age, 12 (57%) of the general pediatric clinic infants and 26 (87%) of the comprehensive care clinic infants were at the 5th percentile or greater for length (P < .05); 11 (52%) of the general pediatric clinic infants and 27 (90%) of the comprehensive care clinic infants were at the 5th percentile or greater for head circumference (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Multidisciplinary primary care follow-up that includes the services of a registered dietitian for nutrition intervention can enhance the catch-up growth of VLBW infants through 12 months growth-corrected age.
Bryson
S R
SR
Theriot
L
L
Ryan
N J
NJ
Pope
J
J
Tolman
N
N
Rhoades
P
P
D003191:Comprehensive Health Care; D004045:Dietary Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009359:Neonatology / Q000379:methods*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D012189:Retrospective Studies