Growth Changes in Pre-Term and Full-Term Infants over the First 6-months of Life from the PediaTrac™ Project

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Changes in body weight, length and head circumference have long been indicators of infant growth and development. PediaTrac™ is a web-based measure designed to engage caregivers in the gathering of longitudinal, real-time, multi-domain data on infant/toddler growth and development at time periods corresponding to well-child visits. The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in growth (weight, length, head circumference) between the newborn and 6 m time periods for both term and pre-term (<37 weeks gestational age) infants as influenced by type of feeding (breast milk versus formula). Methods PediaTrac™ was used to gather data from caregivers and their infants across multiple sites (Michigan and Ohio).To date, 370 caregivers of both pre-term and term infants have completed PediaTrac™ regarding their infants’ growth and development. They reported their infant's body weight, length and head circumference, as well as the type of liquid nutrition their infants received at birth and 6 m. Caregiver responses were managed using REDCap, a secure platform for building and managing online databases and surveys. Data were analyzed using both R and SPSS. Results PediaTrac™ was used to gather data from caregivers and their infants across multiple sites (Michigan and Ohio). To date, 370 caregivers of both pre-term and term infants have completed PediaTrac™ regarding their infants’ growth and development. They reported their infant's body weight, length and head circumference, as well as the type of liquid nutrition their infants received at birth and 6 m. Caregiver responses were managed using REDCap, a secure platform for building and managing online databases and surveys. Data were analyzed using both R and SPSS. Conclusions By 6 m of age, fewer caregivers were feeding their infants breast milk. However, there were no significant differences in weight between infants fed breast milk and those fed formula. Funding Sources Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health. Eastern Michigan University College of Health and Human Services Research Support Award.