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Abstracts of the papers presented at the Neonatal Society Meeting 5 November 1999
Early Human Development 57 (2000) 235–242 www.elsevier.com / locate / earlhumdev
Abstracts of the papers presented at the Neonatal Society Meeting, 5 November 1999 Even breastfed growth restricted neonates ‘catch-up’, L. de Rooy, J.M. Hawdon, University College London Hospitals, Huntley Street, London WC1 E 6 AU, UK. Background: There are concerns that small for gestational age (SGA) neonates fail to ‘catch-up’ to normal height and weight, leading to the temptation to supplement breast feeds. Most studies demonstrate ‘catch-up’, but few consider whether there are neonatal markers to predict subsequent growth. Methods: We carried out a prospective anthropometric study of 80 term infants at birth, 6 months and 1 year. 43 were SGA ( # 2nd centile) and 37 were appropriate for gestational age (AGA) (10–90th centile). Results: Despite significant differences between SGA and AGA groups in weight (wtsds) and head circumference (hcsds) standard deviation scores, knemometry (kne), quadriceps (qsf) and subscapular (ssf) skinfold thickness at birth, there were no significant differences for any measure at 6 or 12 months. After correcting for feeding method (breast or formula), the following neonatal measures were negatively associated with increment in wtsds: ponderal index (pi) ( p 5 0.005), qsf ( p 5 0.05) and kne ( p , 0.0001). Kne ( p 5 0.005) and ssf ( p 5 0.02) were negatively associated with increment in pi. Conclusion: Even when breast fed, infants who have undergone intra-uterine growth restriction demonstrate ‘catch-up’. Formula fed growth restricted babies showed the greatest growth increment. Low birthweight babies without neonatal markers of growth restriction experienced the least change in relative size. In order to prevent excess weight gain and an increased risk of later adult disease [1], breastmilk remains the food of choice for even the smallest babies. References [1] Eriksson J et al. BMJ 1999;318:427–31. PII: S0378-3782( 99 )00067-5 0378-3782 / 00 / $ – see front matter 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Abstracts of the papers presented at the Neonatal Society Meeting, 5 November 1999 Even breastfed growth restricted neonates ‘catch-up’, L. de Rooy, J.M. Hawdon, University College London Hospitals, Huntley Street, London WC1 E 6 AU, UK. Background: There are concerns that small for gestational age (SGA) neonates fail to ‘catch-up’ to normal height and weight, leading to the temptation to supplement breast feeds. Most studies demonstrate ‘catch-up’, but few consider whether there are neonatal markers to predict subsequent growth. Methods: We carried out a prospective anthropometric study of 80 term infants at birth, 6 months and 1 year. 43 were SGA ( # 2nd centile) and 37 were appropriate for gestational age (AGA) (10–90th centile). Results: Despite significant differences between SGA and AGA groups in weight (wtsds) and head circumference (hcsds) standard deviation scores, knemometry (kne), quadriceps (qsf) and subscapular (ssf) skinfold thickness at birth, there were no significant differences for any measure at 6 or 12 months. After correcting for feeding method (breast or formula), the following neonatal measures were negatively associated with increment in wtsds: ponderal index (pi) ( p 5 0.005), qsf ( p 5 0.05) and kne ( p , 0.0001). Kne ( p 5 0.005) and ssf ( p 5 0.02) were negatively associated with increment in pi. Conclusion: Even when breast fed, infants who have undergone intra-uterine growth restriction demonstrate ‘catch-up’. Formula fed growth restricted babies showed the greatest growth increment. Low birthweight babies without neonatal markers of growth restriction experienced the least change in relative size. In order to prevent excess weight gain and an increased risk of later adult disease [1], breastmilk remains the food of choice for even the smallest babies. References [1] Eriksson J et al. BMJ 1999;318:427–31. PII: S0378-3782( 99 )00067-5 0378-3782 / 00 / $ – see front matter 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.