A clinical study of growth and metabolism of small for gestational age infants

Abstract:

Objective To study the differences in growth and metabolism between small for gestational age (SGA) infants and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. Methods A total of 1 370 preterm infants were enrolled in this study. According to the association between gestational age and birth weight, they were divided into SGA group with 675 infants and AGA group with 695 infants. The two groups were compared in terms of general conditions, physical growth and blood biochemical parameters. Results The SGA group had a significantly longer length of hospital stay than the AGA group (P < 0.05). Compared with the AGA group, the SGA group had significantly lower body weight, body weight Z score, and body length at discharge and significantly higher incidence rate of extrauterine growth retardation and growth rate of head circumference (P < 0.05). Compared with the AGA group, the SGA group had significantly longer time to full enteral nutrition and duration of parenteral nutrition (P < 0.05). Compared with the AGA group, the SGA group had significantly higher levels of albumin, prealbumin, and serum phosphorus on admission and total bile acid before discharge, as well as a significantly lower albumin level before discharge (P < 0.05). The incidence rates of asphyxia, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial damage, feeding intolerance, pneumonia, sepsis, hypoglycemia and hypothyroxinemia in the SGA group were significantly higher than in the AGA group (P < 0.05). Conclusions Compared with AGA infants, SGA infants have significantly delayed physical development during hospitalization and significantly higher incidence rates of extrauterine growth retardation and related complications.