Evaluation of the Growth of Preterms Born in 2001–2002 During Adolescence

Growth Trajectories of Adolescent Born Preterm

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate growth characteristics of preterms followed up in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during adolescence.
Methods: The preterms born in 2001–2002 who were followed up in the NICU of our hospital were examined in 2016. Data from the prenatal, natal, and postnatal periods, as well as at the 6–7 years, were obtained from a database with follow–up assessments during adolescence. Measures of growth (height, weight, body mass index), the percentile curves for Turkish children, and the target height formula were used in the assessment. Factors affecting growth, such as maternal problems and neonatal morbidities, were questioned.
Results: Thirty–seven preterm babies (19 females and 18 males) were included in the study. The mean gestational age was 31.5 (28–34) weeks, and the birth weight was 1298 (820–1870) grams. Six newborns (17.6%), and three adolescents (8.1%) were below 3rd percentile for height. All cases had height percentiles within the normal range at 6–7 years of age. Twenty–six adolescents (70.3%) achieved the target height. Eleven premature (29.7%) during the neonatal period, one child (2.7%) during the school period, and one adolescent (3%) were below 3rd percentile for weight. During the neonatal period, one case for height and two cases for weight were above 90th percentiles. While, during school period, 6 cases for height, 2 cases for weight were above 90th percentiles; 1 case for height, 6 cases for weight were above 90th percentiles during adolescence. The frequency of obesity increased from 2.7% to 13.5% during adolescence. 90% of individuals below 3rd percentile of birth weight reached normal weight percentiles during adolescence. Prenatal, natal, and postnatal risk factors, as well as duration of breastfeeding, were not found to be effective in achieving the target height during school–age and adolescent periods.
Conclusion: In this study, we found that all cases had normal percentiles for height in the school period, but on the other hand, 8.1% cases were <3rd percentiles during adolescence. Also, the frequency of cases that were <3rd percentiles for weight was similar during the school period and adolescence. These results reflected that, while catch–up growth could be achieved during the school years, it was not achievable during adolescence. It demonstrates that the growth of individuals born preterm is a dynamic phenomenon.