NONLINEAR PATTERNS OF GROWTH IN VERY-LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS

The deviations of daily weight, weekly length and head circumference f rom Linear growth were analyzed in 87 very low birth weight infants. T he deviations exhibited a highly significant polynomial oscillation no t only for weight, but also for length and head circumference. The wei ght amplitudes were larger for males than for females. They were also larger in infants appropriate for gestational age than in small-for-da te infants. The difference with trophicity may be related to the proce ss of adjustment of catch-up in small-for-date infants. However, the m echanisms of these oscillatory deviations could also be explained by c linical events, method of feeding, or homeostatic regulation. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of the different factors. ( C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.