A growth, developmental and nutritional study of low birthweight infants
Belton, N.R.; Thistlethwaite, D.; Wilkinson, E.M.; Maxwell, S.; Elton, R.A.
Health Bulletin 44(4): 239-249
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0374-8014 PMID: 3744821 Document Number: 285996
In a prospective study, the growth patterns from birth of 72 infants of low birthweight (LBW) were different from those of 54 control infants. 'Catch-up growth' in the LBW group was predominant in the first 6 months but was not fully achieved at 2 years old. LBW infants scored significantly less well than controls in neurological tests at expected date of delivery (EDD), in developmental assessments in the first 2 years, in language acquisition at 3 to 5 years and in psychometric assessment at 5 to 7 years. Early growth in length had a positive relation with early development but not after EDD when social class factors became predominant. Nutritional intake was not significantly different in the LBW and control groups. Intake was correlated with growth in the early weeks for both groups at different time intervals but was not correlated with development.