Association of Postnatal growth with birth weight, gestational age, sex and intrauterine growth in very low birth weight Infants

Abstract

Introduction: The postnatal growth pattern is dependent on many biological factors. Objective: To analyse the effect of birth weight, gestational age, sex and intrauterine growth on the postnatal growth pattern of VLBW babies. Methods: Retrospective case analysis of 129 neonates between January-2012 to December-2014. Weight was serially measured from birth till discharge and respective z scores were calculated as per data from Fenton’s 2013 references. Statistical Analysis: All data were collected in validated preformatted proforma sheet & analysed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: The mean birth weight & gestational age at birth were 1.292 kg & 32.24 weeks respectively. The mean z scores for weight at birth was -1.3989 which decreased to -2.1 by day 7. There was significant difference in gestation at birth & discharge and total duration of hospitalization based on birth weight. There was significant difference in gestation at birth & discharge and total duration of hospitalization, lowest weight, time to regain birth weight & day 1 & day 7 z scores based on gestation. Though SGA infants had more weight loss initially, they exhibited desired catch up growth during hospital stay and time to regain birth weight & total days of hospitalization were significantly less. Conclusion: Gestation is the predominant determinant of growth pattern followed by birth weight. There is no significant difference in growth between male & female babies. SGA babies demonstrated significant catch up growth despite initial significant weight loss. Introduction: The postnatal growth pattern is dependent on many biological factors. Objective: To analyse the effect of birth weight, gestational age, sex and intrauterine growth on the postnatal growth pattern of VLBW babies. Methods: Retrospective case analysis of 129 neonates between January-2012 to December-2014. Weight was serially measured from birth till discharge and respective z scores were calculated as per data from Fenton’s 2013 references. Statistical Analysis: All data were collected in validated preformatted proforma sheet & analysed using appropriate statistical methods. Results : The mean birth weight & gestational age at birth were 1.292 kg & 32.24 weeks respectively. The mean z scores for weight at birth was -1.3989 which decreased to -2.1 by day 7. There was significant difference in gestation at birth & discharge and total duration of hospitalization based on birth weight. There was significant difference in gestation at birth & discharge and total duration of hospitalization, lowest weight, time to regain birth weight & day 1 & day 7 z scores based on gestation. Though SGA infants had more weight loss initially, they exhibited desired catch up growth during hospital stay and time to regain birth weight & total days of hospitalization were significantly less. Conclusion: Gestation is the predominant determinant of growth pattern followed by birth weight. There is no significant difference in growth between male & female babies. SGA babies demonstrated significant catch up growth despite initial significant weight loss. Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}