Outcome in preterm small for gestational age infants compared to appropriate for gestational age preterms at the age of 2 years: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of small for gestational age (SGA) in preterm infants on growth and development until the age of 22 months.


METHODS
Seventy-four preterm infants being born SGA (birth weight <10th percentile) were compared with 74 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants matched prospectively according to gestational age with respect to growth parameters and neurodevelopment (using Griffiths developmental scores) at the age of 22 months corrected age.


RESULTS
Birth weight was significantly lower in SGA-infants compared to AGA-infants (1503 g (430-2205 g) versus 1995 g (680-3300 g); P<0.0001 (median and range)). There were no significant differences regarding the median gestational age (34 weeks), gender distribution, mode of delivery, umbilical artery pH, and APGAR-scores. Mean Griffiths-scores did not differ significantly between both groups (96.7% versus 97.6%). Developmental retardation was diagnosed in 9 SGA-infants versus 10 AGA-infants. Within the total group a positive correlation was observed between gestational age and developmental scoring. Body weight, head circumference, and height were significantly lower in SGA-infants at 22 months corrected age.


CONCLUSIONS
No significant differences regarding neurodevelopmental outcome at 22 months were observed between SGA- and AGA-infants. SGA-infants did not show catch-up growth.
Gortner
Ludwig
L
Department of Neonatology, Pediatric Center, Justus Liebig University, Feulgenstr. 12, Giessen D-35383, Germany. ludwig.gortner@paediat.med.uno-giessen.de
van Husen
Michael
M
Thyen
Ute
U
Gembruch
Ulrich
U
Friedrich
Hans-Jürgen
HJ
Landmann
Eva
E
D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006128:Growth; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000453:epidemiology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000453:epidemiology; D014469:Umbilical Arteries