ASSESSMENT OF POSTNEONATAL GROWTH IN VLBW INFANTS - SELECTION OF GROWTH REFERENCES AND AGE ADJUSTMENT FOR PREMATURITY

Objectives: To assess growth outcomes of VLBW infants using different growth references and so validate the practice of age adjustment for p rematurity in the growth assessment for VLBW infants. Methods: Longitu dinal growth data of 514 VLBW infants From 4 to 36 months of adjusted age were analyzed separately based on chronological and adjusted age a nd by comparison with three growth references. Results. More infants w ere labelled as having ''subnormal growth'' assessed on chronological; age than on adjusted age throughout the first three years of life. Th e proportions of subnormal growth determined using a Canadian and the WHO reference for breastfed infants were, similar they were different from those obtained using the NCHS/WHO reference. Conclusions. Our fin dings suggested that the interpretations of growth in VLBW infants var y substantially depending on which reference is used. The age adjustme nt for prematurity makes substantial difference in identifying subnorm al growth in VLBW infants. The adjustment should be carried out throug hout the first three years of life.