Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-19-2023
Identifier
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41069-0; PMCID: PMC10509139
Abstract
Most growth references for very preterm infants were developed using measurements taken at birth, and were thought to represent intrauterine growth. However, it remains unclear whether the goal of approximating an intrauterine growth rate as stated by the American Academy of Pediatrics is attainable by very preterm infants. Using real-world measurement data from very preterm infants born between 2010 through 2020, we develop models to characterize the patterns of postnatal growth, and compare them to intrauterine growth. By assessing the weight growth rate, we show three phases of postnatal growth not evident in intrauterine growth. Furthermore, postnatal length and head circumference growth exhibit a slow rate after birth, followed by an acceleration. Collectively, postnatal and intrauterine growth are distinctly different. Although postnatal growth models do not represent optimal growth of very preterm infants, they can serve as a practical tool for clinical assessment of growth and for nutrition research.
Journal Title
Nat Commun
Volume
14
Issue
1
First Page
5626
Last Page
5626
MeSH Keywords
Infant, Newborn; Infant; Humans; Child; Infant, Premature; Anthropometry; Acceleration
Keywords
Anthropometry; Acceleration
Recommended Citation
Chou FS, Yeh HW, Clark RH. A comparative study of postnatal anthropometric growth in very preterm infants and intrauterine growth. Nat Commun. 2023;14(1):5626. Published 2023 Sep 19. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-41069-0
Comments
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Publisher's Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-41069-0