title: First year growth among very low birth weight infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to describe first-year growth among very low birth weight infants and the effect of growth restriction at hospital discharge on first year growth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anthropometric measures and background information for 118 very low birth weight infants were collected from medical records. Z-scores were calculated based on recent Norwegian growth references.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant catch-up growth for weight and length was observed during the first year with mean z-score change (SD) of 0.40 (1.05) and 1.01 (1.25) respectively. However, the very low birth weight infants remained lighter and shorter than full-term peers until 12 months corrected age with mean z-score of -0.93 (1.09) and -0.48 (1.06) respectively. Head circumference followed a normal growth pattern after 2 months. Infants discharged from hospital as growth restricted had increased catch-up in weight and length, but remained smaller than infants not subjected to early growth restriction and full-term peers. Multiple regression showed that weight below the 10th percentile at discharge is important for weight and length during the first year of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Very low birth weight infants showed catch-up growth during the first year, but their weight and length remained less than full-term peers. Growth deficiencies were more pronounced among infants subjected to early growth restriction, despite increased catch-up growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. a.c.westerberg@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: Ane C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Westerberg
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Henriksen
authors.forename: Asta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ellingvåg
authors.forename: Marit B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Veierød
authors.forename: Pétur B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Júlíusson
authors.forename: Britt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nakstad
authors.forename: Anne K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Aurvåg
authors.forename: Arild
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rønnestad
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grønn
authors.forename: Per O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Iversen
authors.forename: Christian A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Drevon
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009664:Norway; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015430:Weight Gain