BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION AND POSTNATAL-GROWTH IN FULL-TERM INTRAUTERINE GROWTH-RETARDED (IUGR) INFANTS

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to describe the patterns of post-natal growth in full-term infants as a function of IUGR and (2) to assess the impact of an individualized behavioral feeding intervent ion with the mothers on these patterns of infant growth. Eighty-eight (88) full-term infants, including 54 with IUGR, half of whom received behavioral intervention were included. Weight, length, skinfold thickn ess, head circumference and Ponderal Index were measured at birth and at 1, 4, 8, 12, and 18 months. Results show positive intervention effe cts between birth and 1 month in weight, length, skinfold thickness, a nd Ponderal Index. However, there were no intervention effects at subs equent ages. No evidence was found for catch-up growth in full-term IU GR infants in weight, length, and head circumference. We conclude that an individualized behavioral feeding intervention can accelerate earl y growth in IUGR infants, but the positive effects on growth are only seen while the intervention lasts (between birth and 1 month). On most parameters of physical growth, there is no lasting catch-up growth ov er the first Is months in IUGR full-term infants.