title: Catch-up growth in short-at-birth NICU graduates.
abstract: The statural catch-up growth, defined as reaching at least tenth length/height percentile (P10) for normal population standards (-1.28 SD score, SDS), was studied in 73 infants short at birth (length < P10 for gestational age) admitted to NICU. Mean gestational age at birth was 35.2 weeks (range 29-41) and mean birth length standard deviation score -2.31 (-4.52/-1.46). Infants were measured at birth, at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months corrected age and then once a year until 6 years chronological age. Statural catch-up growth was studied, with reference both to normal population standards and to individual genetic target. With reference to normal population standards, 44% of infants had caught-up at 3 months of age, 51% at 3 years, 66% at 4 years and 73% at 6 years. In the case of individual genetic targets, a similar trend was present, but the absolute values were slightly higher from 4 to 6 years (73 vs. 66% and 78 vs. 73%, respectively). Statistically significant changes in mean standard deviations score for chronological age were present from birth to 3 months, 3 to 12 months, 3 to 4 years and 5 to 6 years (p<0.05). No differences were found in this trend of recovery when considering ponderal index (PI) at birth (symmetrical vs. asymmetrical), sex (male vs. female) or gestational age (p>0.05). In the majority of cases infants with short stature at birth admitted to a NICU had a statural catch-up growth within the first years of life. This is more evident when considered in relation to individual genetic target rather than to normal population standards.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seminara
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rapisardi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: La Cauza
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mattei
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Donzelli
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000473:pathology*; D006128:Growth / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000254:growth & development*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male