Outcome of low birthweight in China: a 16-year longitudinal study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the growth and neurodevelopment of low-birthweight (LBW) and normal-birthweight (control) infants born and raised in China.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
203 LBW (1200-2499 g) and 71 control (> or =2500 g) infants born at two Shanghai hospitals in 1983 did not differ for date of birth, gender, parental occupation, parental weight and age. LBW <10th centile at > or =37 wk gestation was defined as small for gestational age (SGA, n=102). LBW at < 37 wk gestation was defined as preterm (n=101).


METHODS
Weight, height, head circumference, Gesell developmental quotient (DQ), Wechsler intelligence quotient (IQ), and scholastic achievement score.


RESULTS
Of the 274 enrolled subjects, 234 (85%) returned at 6 mo, 135 (49%) at 6 y, and 104 (38%) at 16 y. SGA, preterm, and control subjects did not differ in rates of follow-up or baseline characteristics. However, SGA and preterm were lower than control subjects in weight and head circumference through 16 y, height through 4 y, DQ through 3 y, IQ at 5 and 16 y, and scholastic achievement at 16 y. Catch-up to growth in the control group, defined as >3rd centile, and normal IQ, defined as > or =85, were both more common among preterm than SGA subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents in China with birthweights of 1200-2499 g, and particularly those who were SGA, lag behind peers with birthweights >2500 g in physical growth, cognitive capacity, and school achievement. The findings suggest that LBW adolescents in China today represent a population in need of evaluation and support.
Peng
Yongmei
Y
Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital, Fudan University, 183 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200 032, China. ympeng99@yahoo.com.cn
Huang
Bin
B
Biro
Frank
F
Feng
Lingying
L
Guo
Zhiping
Z
Slap
Gail
G
D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height; D002657:Child Development; D002681:China; D003071:Cognition; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011446:Prospective Studies