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Open Access 01-12-2005 | Research article

Catch-up growth up to ten years of age in children born very preterm or with very low birth weight

Authors: Noël BB Knops, Kommer CA Sneeuw, Ronald Brand, Elysee TM Hille, A Lya den Ouden, Jan-Maarten Wit, S Pauline Verloove-Vanhorick

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2005

Abstract

Background

Improved survival due to advances in neonatal care has brought issues such as postnatal growth and development more to the focus of our attention. Most studies report stunting in children born very preterm and/or small for gestational age. In this article we study the growth pattern of these children and aim to identify factors associated with postnatal catch-up growth.

Methods

1338 children born with a gestational age <32 weeks and/or a birth weight of <1500 grams were followed during a Dutch nationwide prospective study (POPS). Subgroups were classified as appropriate for gestational age and <32 weeks (AGA) or small for gestational age (<32 wks SGA and ≥32 wks SGA). Data were collected at different intervals from birth until 10 years for the 962 survivors and compared to reference values. The correlation between several factors and growth was analysed.

Results

At 10 years the AGA children had attained normal height, whereas the SGA group demonstrated stunting, even after correction for target height (AGA: 0.0 SDS; SGA <32 wks: -0.29SDS and ≥32 wks: -0.13SDS). Catch-up growth was especially seen in the SGA children with a fast initial weight gain. BMI was approximately 1 SD below the population reference mean.

Conclusion

At 10 years of age, children born very preterm AGA show no stunting. However, many children born SGA, especially the very preterm, show persistent stunting. Early weight gain seems an important prognostic factor in predicting childhood growth.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/5/26/prepub

Title: Catch-up growth up to ten years of age in children born very preterm or with very low birth weight
Authors: Noël BB Knops
Kommer CA Sneeuw
Ronald Brand
Elysee TM Hille
A Lya den Ouden
Jan-Maarten Wit
S Pauline Verloove-Vanhorick
Publication date: 01-12-2005
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2005
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-5-26

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Catch-up growth up to ten years of age in children born very preterm or with very low birth weight

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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