Postnatal growth of preterm infants

Abstract

For several decades in Japan, in contrast to continuously declining birth rates, the rate of low-birth-weight infants has been increased and remaining high. Studies on birth statistics of Japan and those of author’s hospital found that growth restriction started prenatally and lasted through early infancy followed by a catch-up phase in late infancy, which was never to be completed. Interestingly, prenatal growth level tended to be reversed postnatally till 3 years but kept similar stature afterwards till 6 years, always remained skinny (low BMI), and showed no sign of early ‘adiposity rebound’. What level of postnatal growth should we aim for preterm infants? We have no clear answer to this question yet. What we can do at the moment is to aim for a smooth and well-balanced growth with repeated careful and individualized assessment and adjustments, and not to chase for a certain fixed goal for everyone.