AFFECTING FACTORS TO CATCH UP GROWTH IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (VLBW) INFANTS DETECTED THROUGH A MATHEMATICAL MODEL

Abstract

Rate of posnatal “catch-up” growth was examined applying a mathematical model, which allowed to evaluate catch up growth in length(L), weight(W) and cephalic circumferences (CC). In a group of 120 VLBW infants bom from 1980-86, 82 were selected for the study meeting the following criteria: no intrauterine growth retardation, prenatal infection and major malformation. Mean birth weight(BW) and gestational age(GA) were 1217±193 and 29.1±1.6 weeks, respectively. Apgar scores at 1st and 5th min. were 6.9 ± 3 and 8.8±2.0. The independent variables were BW, GA, socioeco-nomical status, perinatal and neonatal morbidity, and age taken at the time when calories intake reached 100cal/Kg/day and BW had been recovered. The dependent variables were catch up growth in W, L and CC. The stepwise regression analysis showed variables which correlated with catch up growth were: neonatal morbility, age which birth weight was recovered and age at the time to reach 100cal/ftg/day. They were also dependent among themselves. The regression coefficient were r = .72 (p<.0001), r = .79 (p<.0001), r = .63 (p<.01) for catch up growth for W, L and CC, respectively. The data showed that failure to catch up growth was related to the poor caloric intake received by this group secondary to morbidity. Better management of nutrition may improve catch up growth. This analysis allows earlier identification of infants with delayed catch up growth and the responsible variables. The three above variables may be used to predict tlie risk of no catch up growth in W and L in VLBW infants.

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