[A longitudinal study on growth model and velocity of term small for gestation age].
To probe into the vegetal pattern and find out the key period of promoting normal growth of term small for gestational age (TSGA), a longitudinal study on growth model and velocity of TSGA was conducted from Jan 1993 to June 1997. The body weight and length of 150 children of TSGA (57 boys, 93 girls) and 152 children as controls (58 boys, 94 girls) were measured from the 1st month to 36th month. The growth model was analysed by multilevel models. The result showed that there was a difference between the growth models of TSGA and controls. During 8 and a half months (center month), the weight, length of controls were 1.19 kg, 3.46 cm greater than those of TSGA; the weight, length of boys were 0.34 kg, 1.08 cm more than those of girls respectively. The growth velocity of TSGA was similar to that of controls. The maximal growth velocity was observed during the first 6 monthes after birth. The order of growth velocity from high to low was 1 mo. > 2 mo. > 3 mo. in length and weight, showing that children of TSGA have their own growth model. Their growth velocity should be monitored attentively. If low velocity appears one should search for the cause and adopt apropriate measures to ensure their growth in accordance with their "own track".
Wu
K
K
Department of Pediatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chengdu.
Yang
S
S
Luo
H
H
Liao
L
L
Liu
S
S
Xu
B
B
D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis