Effects of suboptimal intra-uterine growth on preterm infants between 30 and 32 weeks' gestation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the affects of suboptimal intra-uterine growth on the outcome of low-birth-weight (LBW) infants.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Neonatal unit of a tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
A total of 104 LBW infants with a gestation of 30-32 weeks were selected from a larger cohort that had previously been studied to ascertain the prevalence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and periventricular-intraventricular haemorrhage (PV-IVH).


METHODS
Multivariate analysis was used to examine the association between RDS, PV-IVH and death, and the adequacy of intra-uterine growth.


RESULTS
Infants with a higher birth weight ratio or birth weight > or = 25th percentile had an increased risk of developing RDS, particularly where ventilatory support was required. However, PV-IVH was associated with immediate perinatal events and not with intra-uterine growth. Mortality was not affected by intra-uterine growth, since those < 25th percentile. In spite of being at lower risk for RDS, showed a trend towards more infection-related deaths.


CONCLUSIONS
The 'intra-uterine stress' experienced by infants with suboptimal intra-uterine growth appears to protect partially against RDS, but confers no overall advantage in terms of survival.
Cooper
P A
PA
Department of Paediatrics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
Sandler
D L
DL
Simchowitz
I D
ID
Galpin
J S
JS
D001724:Birth Weight; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000209:etiology*