Growth and endocrine function during school age in very low-birth weight infants

Background. Short stature and low bodyweight are commonly encountered probl ems in the clinical follow up of premature infants. However, details about the underlying pathophysiology are unknown in these cases. Methods: Evaluations of growth and endocrine function were performed in 23 very low-birth weight (VLBW) infants between 11.3 and 14.3 years of age. Results: The mean (+/- SD) scores fur height and weight were -0.50 +/- 0.97 and -0.50 +/- 1.10 SD, respectively. Mean serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and urine growth hormone (CII) levels were 402 +/- 138 ng/mL and 1 8.0 +/- 17.5 pg/mg creatinine, respectively. Serum IGF-I and urine GI-I lev els were within the normal range for all patients. The bone age values were consistent with the patient's true age. physical signs of puberty were det ected in 15 of 23 patients (65%). Using bone ages to predict final adult he ight yielded a score of -0.52 +/- 1.08 SD. Conclusions: Despite the almost normal results of serum IGF-I, urine GH lev els and bone age, the physical growth of these VLBW infants was less than t hat of normal birth weight children, as was their predicted adult growth.