Comparison of neonatal growth in normal, low and very low birth weights until 18 months

BACKGROUND: Birth weight is considered as the most important index of neonates’ growth as well as the most important determinant of infants’ mortality. This study was conducted to investigate the growth pattern in normal, low and very low birth weight neonates for 18 months in the health care centers of Isfahan, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional and retrospective study, 214 neonates (90 with normal, 90 with low and 34 with very low birth weights) were enrolled in the health care centers of Isfahan and their growth in the 2(nd), 4(th), 6(th), 9(th), 12(th), 15(th) and 18(th) months were investigated. The data collection tool was a 3-part questionnaire which was validated using content validity. A part of data was completed based on the health file of the family. FINDINGS: The mean of weight, height and head circumference in the months 2, 4, 6, 9, 12 and 15 in the three groups with normal, low and very low birth weights were significantly different. In the ages of 6, 15, 12 and 18 months, there was the highest frequency of horizontal trend in the growth pattern of children in the three groups. In the growth rate of neonates with low birth weight, there was the highest frequency of horizontal trend at the age of 12 months and there was the highest frequency of descending trend in the 15(th) months. CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that according to National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) percentiles, low and very low birth weight infants had lower growth in weight, length and head circumference compared to normal birth weight infants. Therefore, special attention should be given to healthcare and post-birth growth surveillance of these two groups to maintain and improve the health level of them.