Pune low birth weight study — Growth from birth to adulthood

Abstract

To assess the growth, adiposity and blood pressure of non-handicapped low birthweight children at 18 years. Prospective cohort study. Infants born between 1987-1989 with birthweight less than 2000 g, discharged from a neonatal special care unit of a referral hospital and followed up till the age of 18 years. The height, weight, and head circumference were measured. Measurements for adiposity, blood pressure, parental height and weight were recorded. The cohort of 161 low birth weight (LBW) infants was divided into three groups according to their gestation preterm SGA (n=61), full term SGA (n=30) and preterm AGA (n=70). 71 full term AGA infants served as controls. Preterm SGA males had height of 164.5 cms (162-166.9, 95% CI) which was significantly less (mean deficit = 5.7 cms) than that of controls (P=0.02). However, PTSGA children were short inspite of normal mid-parental height. Preterm SGA and AGA children had smaller head circumference. There was no evidence of adiposity and no child had hypertension. Mid-parental height was an important determinant of height in LBW children. Both parents weight and BMI were important determinants of weight and BMI, respectively in all LBW children. Preterm SGA males were short, but there was no difference in the weight of the LBW group and controls. Preterms had smaller head circumference. There was no evidence of adiposity or hypertension.