Abstract:

Objective To analyze the characteristics of catch-up growth among premature infants appropriate for gestational age (AGA ) and the growth deviation of them after 2 years of age. Methods Cohort study was used to design experimental program. The preterm infants without disease born in Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital were involved. They were fed on premature formulas(74 Kcal·100 mL-1) until their weight for height reached the WHO P50 level. Their weight, length and head circumference were measured every month during the first year. After 2 years of age they were asked to measure weight and length. All the data were compared with the WHO and Nine-Chinese-City criteria. Results The 165 preterm infants were involved in this study. All of them could be fed with any brand of formula when their weight for height reached the WHO P50 level, and were followed-up after the age of 2 years. 122 cases of premature infants had regularly completed 1 ~ 9 months and 12 months of physical measurement and feeding guidance, 43 cases without regular follow-up when their weight for height reached the WHO P50 level . The weight and length of the premature male infants were statistically significant different with the WHO standards, and the head circumference was statistically significantly different with nine -Chinese- city criteria. For females, the weight and the head circumference were individually different with the WHO standards and the nine -Chinese- city criteria .There was no significant sex difference in physical measurement of growth of the premature infants appropriate for gestational age. There was no growth deviation in infants who were regularly followed-up. For those who were not regularly followed-up ,54% infants(23/43) were found growth deviation according to WHO standards, 98% infants (42/43) had growth deviation according to the nine -Chinese- city criteria. The growth deviates were mainly thin, risk of overweight and overweight. Conclusion The regularity of the premature infants growth is different from that of the full term infants. Catch-up growth can be seen through the first year in the premature infants. The regular clinical health care is the influencing factor of the growth deviation in children. The Nine-Chinese-City criteria will raise the screening rate of the wasting , overweight and obesity.