Counting the Weighs: Growth Velocity Tables for Preterm Infants.

Abstract

Consistent methods are needed to calculate and report postnatal growth of the preterm infant. Growth charts are valuable resources to visually monitor growth trends over time. This article includes growth velocity tables, with numerical data, intended to complement existing resources and provide clinicians with a quantitative method to assess and report weekly changes in growth. Tables were constructed using the 50th percentile dataset for the Fenton 2013 Growth Charts to estimate fetal growth rates. This dataset is based on preterm infant birth measures rather than postnatal growth; therefore, the intended use of these resources is to promote a consistent method for reporting how a preterm infant is growing. Consistent methods to calculate and report current growth can contribute more reliable data for research and further insight to postnatal growth associated with the best possible health outcomes for future preterm infants.