Early growth of term SFD infants in relation to caloric intake

Association of early postnatal growth trajectory with body composition in term low birth weight infants

Growth acceleration or catch-up growth (CUG) in early infancy is a plausible risk factor for later obesity and cardiovascular disease. We postulate that this risk may be mediated by an adverse programming of body composition by CUG in early infancy. The study was aimed at evaluating the association between the pattern of gain in weight and length of term low birth weight (LBW) infants from birth to 6 months, with fat mass percent (FM%) at 6 months. Term healthy singleton LBW infants were enrolled. Baby’s weight and length z-scores were measured at birth and three follow-up visits. Body composition was measured by dual-energy absorptiometry at last visit. A total of 54 babies (28 boys) were enrolled. The mean birth weight and gestation were 2175±180 g and 37.6±0.6 weeks. Follow-up visits were at 1.4±0.0, 3.0±0.3 and 7.2±0.8 months. The proportion of babies who showed CUG [increase in weight for age z-score (∆WAZ)>0.67] from birth to 1.4, 3.0 and 7.2 months was 29.6, 26.4 and 48.5%, respectively. The mean FM% at 7.2 months was 16.6±7.8%. Infants with greater ∆WAZ from birth to 3 and 7.2 months had significantly greater FM% at 7.2 months after adjusting for current age, size and gender. Infants with early CUG (<1.4 months) had higher FM% than infants with no CUG. We conclude that earlier and greater increment in WAZ is positively associated with FM%.

Longitudinal growth of head circumference in term symmetric and asymmetric small for gestational age infants

AIMS

To study longitudinal growth pattern of head circumference of full-term symmetric and asymmetric small for gestational age (SGA) infants of the two sexes during first year of life.

STUDY DESIGN

Mixed-longitudinal growth research design.

SUBJECTS

Head circumference amongst full-term 100 symmetric, 100 asymmetric as well as 100 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants was measured at birth, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age using standardized technique and instrument.

RESULTS

The mean head circumference of male symmetric SGA infants measured significantly (p≤0.001) smaller than asymmetric SGA infants while, in female symmetric SGA infants it measured shorter beyond 6 months. As compared to AGA infants, head circumference in symmetric and asymmetric SGA infants measured significantly smaller in size. Growth velocity for head circumference amongst symmetric and asymmetric SGA male infants did not show statistically significant differences. Rate of head circumference growth remained significantly higher amongst female asymmetric SGA infants than the symmetric ones between 3 and 6 months while, a reversal of trend was observed between 9 and 12 months.

CONCLUSION

The better growth attainments for head circumference of male and female asymmetric SGA infants than their symmetric SGA counterparts during first postnatal year of life may be attributed to the continuation of influence of "head sparing" experienced by asymmetric SGA babies during prenatal life.