Growth Patterns of Low-Birth-Weight Babies in the First Year of Life

Sri Venkata Dheeraj Vanama, Utla Srilatha, Ravikanth

Abstract: Introduction: During the last few decades, the increase in the number of low birth weight (LBW) infants and their improved survival rate has raised the problem of correct evaluation of their post natal growth1. In addition to higher risk of morbidity and mortality, these babies show a pattern of growth different from the normal term babies. Objective: To compare the growth parameters (Weight, Length, HC) of low birth weight babies (?2500) versus normal weight babies (>2500) till the age of 1 year. Methods: As per inclusion criteria 50 cases (?2500 gms) and 50 control were selected for the study. Low birth weight babies delivered at Teritary care hospital or admitted to NICU of the same were enrolled by purposive sampling technique. This cohort was categorized into four groups based on birth weight. Babies in each sub group were entering a follow-up programme that includes measurement of anthropometric variables (weight, length and head circumference etc.) at 1.5,2.5,3.5 months ? 3 days and at 6, 9, 12months ? 7 days. Results & Conclusion: From the above study we found that lower the birth weight, higher is the increment in all the three parameters(Weight, Length, HC). Head circumference had catch-up growth with the control by the end of 1 year. Length and weight had no catch-up growth in spite of rapid increment. Head circumference of Preterm AGA babies had maximum catch-up growth and almost caught-up with the control babies at the end of the study period.

Keywords: Low birth weight, Growth pattern, Longitudinal follow up