Risk factors for extrauterine growth retardation at discharge in premature infants

Abstract:

Objective To study the incidence and risk factors for extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) at discharge in premature infants. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 596 premature infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between 2006 and 2010. These subjects were classified into EUGR (n=217) and non-EUGR groups (n=379) based on the body weight at discharge. The risk factors for the occurrence of EUGR were studied by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Based on the body weight, length, and head circumference, the incidence of EUGR at discharge was 36.4% (217 cases), 42.0% (250 cases), and 22.8% (136 cases), respectively. Low gestational age, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), delayed enteral feeding and complications of the respiratory system were identified as risk factors for EUGR (OR=6.508, 14.522, 5.101, 1.366, and 1.501, respectively). Conclusions The incidence of EUGR might be greatly decreased by strengthening the perinatal care, reducing the incidence of premature delivery and IUGR, undertaking early enteral feeding, and actively preventing postnatal complications.