Determinants of Low Weight (< 3‰) in Premature Infants (< 32 weeks of gestation)

Abstract

Background. Premature infants – especially those born after short gestation – often have a complicated beginning of life due to a variety of health problems that impair such children’s further development. Aims. To evaluate the determinants of low weight up to one year of adjusted age in premature infants born before 32 weeks of gestation, and to compare neonates born at 22-26 with those born at 27-31 weeks of gestation. Methods. A follow-up study of 755 neonates who were born in 2003-2012 during the 22nd-31st weeks of gestation. We evaluated anthropometric data (weight) during 3 visits (at approximately 1, 6 and 12 months of adjusted age). Results. In our investigated group, the number of neonates born during the 27th-31st weeks of gestation was by four times higher than the number of those born during the 22nd-26th weeks of gestation. Premature infants born at 22-26 weeks of gestation were hypotrophic (< 3‰) more frequently than those born at 27-31 weeks of gestation (p < 0.05). The risk of being underweight (< 3‰) for their age was higher in newborns with congenital heart defect, acquired infection, retinopathy of prematurity, rickets, severe perinatal hypoxia, or pulmonary atelectasis (p < 0.05), and in newborns with sonographically diagnosed internal hydrocephalus, intraventricular hemorrhage (III), or periventricular leukomalacia (II) (p < 0.05). Male sex and developmental disorders were predisposing factors for low weight (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Further physical development of premature infants is greatly influenced by gestational age and a history of neonatal diseases.