Relation between birth weight and weight and height at the age of 2 in children born preterm.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate associations between fetal growth and weight at 2 years in infants born preterm using a customized approach for birth weight.


METHODS
This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter trial that included a 2-year follow-up of children born prematurely. Customized birth weight percentiles were calculated using the Gardosi model for a U.S. population, and the relation between customized percentile and weight and height at 2 years (adjusted for gender using z-score) was determined using regression analysis and by comparing z-scores for children with birth weight <10th versus ≥10th percentile.


RESULTS
Weight z-score at 2 years was significantly lower in the <10th than in the ≥10th percentile group (median [interquartile range, IQR]: -0.66 [-1.58, -0.01] vs. -0.23 [-1.05, 0.55]; p < 0.001), and remained after adjusting for maternal education (p < 0.001). A similar relationship was noted for height z-score between groups (median [IQR]: -0.56 [-1.29, 0.19] vs. -0.24 [-0.99, 0.37]; p < 0.001). Positive relationships between customized birth weight percentile and weight and height at 2 years were noted (p < 0.001 for both), but were not strong (R (2) = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Customized birth weight percentile is a minor determinant of weight at 2 years among children born preterm.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Galveston, Texas.
Gayle
G
Olson
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The George Washington University Biostatistics Center, Washington, District of Columbia.
Steven J
SJ
Weiner
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
Dwight J
DJ
Rouse
Uma M
UM
Reddy
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University-MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
Brian M
BM
Mercer
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Michael W
MW
Varner
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
Kenneth J
KJ
Leveno
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
Jay D
JD
Iams
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ronald J
RJ
Wapner
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas.
Susan M
SM
Ramin
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, New York.
Fergal D
FD
Malone
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Marshall W
MW
Carpenter
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
Mary J
MJ
O'Sullivan
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois.
Mara J
MJ
Dinsmoor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Galveston, Texas.
Gary D V
GD
Hankins
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Steve N
SN
Caritis
D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis