Relation between Birth Weight and Weight and Height at the Age of 2 in Children Born Preterm

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate associations between fetal growth and weight at 2 years in infants born preterm using a customized approach for birth weight.

Study Design This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter trial that included a 2-year follow-up of children born prematurely. Customized birth weight percentiles were calculated using the Gardosi model for a U.S. population, and the relation between customized percentile and weight and height at 2 years (adjusted for gender using z-score) was determined using regression analysis and by comparing z-scores for children with birth weight <10th versus ≥10th percentile.

Results Weight z-score at 2 years was significantly lower in the <10th than in the ≥10th percentile group (median [interquartile range, IQR]: −0.66 [−1.58, −0.01] vs. −0.23 [−1.05, 0.55]; p < 0.001), and remained after adjusting for maternal education (p < 0.001). A similar relationship was noted for height z-score between groups (median [IQR]: −0.56 [−1.29, 0.19] vs. −0.24 [−0.99, 0.37]; p < 0.001). Positive relationships between customized birth weight percentile and weight and height at 2 years were noted (p < 0.001 for both), but were not strong (R ² = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively).

Conclusion Customized birth weight percentile is a minor determinant of weight at 2 years among children born preterm.

Keywords

preterm - fetal growth potential - customized birth weight

Note

This article was presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation March 16–19, 2011, Palm Beach, FL.

• References

• 1 McIntire DD, Bloom SL, Casey BM, Leveno KJ. Birth weight in relation to morbidity and mortality among newborn infants. N Engl J Med 1999; 340 (16) 1234-1238
• 2 Hediger ML, Overpeck MD, Maurer KR, Kuczmarski RJ, McGlynn A, Davis WW. Growth of infants and young children born small or large for gestational age: findings from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1998; 152 (12) 1225-1231
• 3 Freedman DS, Mei Z, Srinivasan SR, Berenson GS, Dietz WH. Cardiovascular risk factors and excess adiposity among overweight children and adolescents: the Bogalusa Heart Study. J Pediatr 2007; 150 (1) 12-17.e2
• 4 Ozanne SE, Fernandez-Twinn D, Hales CN. Fetal growth and adult diseases. Semin Perinatol 2004; 28 (1) 81-87
• 5 Barker DJ, Osmond C, Forsén TJ, Kajantie E, Eriksson JG. Trajectories of growth among children who have coronary events as adults. N Engl J Med 2005; 353 (17) 1802-1809
• 6 Crume TL, Scherzinger A, Stamm E , et al. The long-term impact of intrauterine growth restriction in a diverse U.S. cohort of children: the EPOCH study. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2014; 22 (2) 608-615
• 7 Bocca-Tjeertes IF, Kerstjens JM, Reijneveld SA, de Winter AF, Bos AF. Growth and predictors of growth restraint in moderately preterm children aged 0 to 4 years. Pediatrics 2011; 128 (5) e1187-e1194
• 8 Bocca-Tjeertes IF, Kerstjens JM, Reijneveld SA, Veldman K, Bos AF, de Winter AF. Growth patterns of large for gestational age children up to age 4 years. Pediatrics 2014; 133 (3) e643-e649
• 9 Alexander GR, Kogan MD, Himes JH. 1994-1996 U.S. singleton birth weight percentiles for gestational age by race, Hispanic origin, and gender. Matern Child Health J 1999; 3 (4) 225-231
• 10 Hadlock FP, Harrist RB, Martinez-Poyer J. In utero analysis of fetal growth: a sonographic weight standard. Radiology 1991; 181 (1) 129-133
• 11 Gardosi J. Customized fetal growth standards: rationale and clinical application. Semin Perinatol 2004; 28 (1) 33-40
• 12 Gardosi J, Chang A, Kalyan B, Sahota D, Symonds EM. Customised antenatal growth charts. Lancet 1992; 339 (8788) 283-287
• 13 Gardosi J, Mongelli M, Wilcox M, Chang A. An adjustable fetal weight standard. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 1995; 6 (3) 168-174
• 14 Gardosi J, Francis A. A customized standard to assess fetal growth in a US population. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009; 201 (1) 25.e1-7
• 15 de Jong CL, Gardosi J, Dekker GA, Colenbrander GJ, van Geijn HP. Application of a customised birthweight standard in the assessment of perinatal outcome in a high risk population. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1998; 105 (5) 531-535
• 16 Rouse DJ, Hirtz DG, Thom E , et al; Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network. A randomized, controlled trial of magnesium sulfate for the prevention of cerebral palsy. N Engl J Med 2008; 359 (9) 895-905
• 17 Kuczmarski RJ, Ogden CL, Grummer-Strawn LM , et al. CDC growth charts: United States. Adv Data 2000; (314) 1-27
• 18 Grummer-Strawn LM, Reinold C, Krebs NF ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Use of World Health Organization and CDC growth charts for children aged 0-59 months in the United States. MMWR Recomm Rep 2010; 59 (RR-9): 1-15
• 19 Gage TB, Fang F, O'Neill E, Dirienzo G. Maternal education, birth weight, and infant mortality in the United States. Demography 2013; 50 (2) 615-635
• 20 Graham GG. Environmental factors affecting the growth of children. Am J Clin Nutr 1972; 25 (11) 1184-1188
• 21 Pierrat V, Marchand-Martin L, Guemas I , et al; Epipage Study Group. Height at 2 and 5 years of age in children born very preterm: the EPIPAGE study. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2011; 96 (5) F348-F354
• 22 Alexander GR, Himes JH, Kaufman RB, Mor J, Kogan M. A United States national reference for fetal growth. Obstet Gynecol 1996; 87 (2) 163-168
• 23 Sjaarda LA, Albert PS, Mumford SL, Hinkle SN, Mendola P, Laughon SK. Customized large-for-gestational-age birthweight at term and the association with adverse perinatal outcomes. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2014; 210 (1) 63.e1-63.e11
• 24 GROW. Gestation Related Optimal Weight. Customized growth chart software versions 5.x-7.x, 2000–2009. Available at: Gestation Network, www.gestation.net