Preterm appropriate for gestational age infants: size at birth explains subsequent growth.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to evaluate growth and breastfeeding up to 18 months corrected age (CA) among preterm appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants whose mothers initiated breastfeeding during the infants' hospital stay.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-seven preterm AGA infants with a median birth weight of 2320 (769-3250) g and gestational age 34.29 (25.00-35.86) weeks were evaluated up to a CA of 18 months. A retrospective, descriptive and comparative design was used. Data were obtained by chart review of hospital medical records and a questionnaire completed by the mothers.


RESULTS
The changes in standard deviation scores (SDS) during the infants' hospital stay were -0.9 for weight, -0.3 for length and -0.5 for head circumference (HC). Infants with higher SDS at birth showed more negative changes from birth to discharge. Median increments in SDS from discharge to a CA of 2 months were as high as, or higher than, the loss from birth to discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
Preterm AGA infants with higher SDS for weight, length and HC at birth are at higher risk of inadequate growth during their hospital stay.
Funkquist
E-L
EL
Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. eva-lotta.funkquist@kbh.uu.se
Tuvemo
T
T
Jonsson
B
B
Serenius
F
F
Nyqvist
Kh
Kh
D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height; D049628:Body Size; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002508:Cephalometry; D005865:Gestational Age; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires