advances in nutrition The study noted that most premature babies catch up with the growth patterns of full-term babies within three years.
“There are several myths about the growth of preterm infants and infants,” according to a scientific review published in 2006 titled “Expected and Desirable Growth Patterns of Preterm Infants and Infants.” Advances in Nutrition: An International Review Journal, Publications of the American Academy of Nutrition. According to the authors, Tanith R. Fenton, Ph.D., et al., similarly, these myths “conceal the widespread belief that fetal and infant growth patterns alone strongly predict future risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders.” It is often based on a misconception that
To dispel these myths and shed an objective light on the issue, this review looked at the full range of infant growth expectations, focusing on how the growth of preterm infants is similar to or different from that of full-term infants. Furthermore, the authors highlighted how science should inform how dietitians and health professionals speak to and counsel parents.
A common concern among neonatologists is that dietary and treatment plans for preterm and small infants are causing preterm infants to grow too quickly, catching up to growth expectations of full-term infants, putting them at higher risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease later in life. However, the review found that preterm infants and small infants are not necessarily at higher risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease in the long term, but rather “the long-term risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease is influenced by a combination of modifiable and non-modifiable factors. These include genetics, social determinants of health, prenatal history and nutrition, as well as subsequent lifestyle choices such as physical activity, nutrition, and energy balance.”
Adequate nutrition and growth are both necessary for neurodevelopment. However, the authors noted that just as they noted the more complex relationship between preterm birth and obesity and cardiovascular disease, there is an equally complex relationship between preterm birth and long-term neurodevelopment. According to the authors, “In neonatal intensive care units with good nutritional support and post-discharge nutrition services, there are other more influential and directly contributing causes, making it unlikely that the cause of poor cognitive outcomes is mediated by poor growth.”
The editorial that accompanies this review, “A Revolution in Neonatal Nutrition: Rethinking the Definitions and Standards of Optimal Care,” states that this review “makes significant contributions to our understanding of growth patterns in preterm infants, rethinking the definitions and standards of optimal nutritional care.” “It provides valuable guidance on how to do so.” In particular, editorial author Ariel A. Salas says, “Calls for developing individualized growth trajectories are insightful because growth outcomes have a variety of causal relationships.”
Variability in individual growth is a biological phenomenon influenced by genetics, prenatal growth, morbidity, and nutrition. Therefore, it is important to recognize that preterm and term infants with healthy outcomes exhibit a wide range of growth variability. Nevertheless, the authors acknowledge that parents are concerned about children who show low gains on the growth curve. They emphasize the importance of avoiding the word “failure,” which is often used when talking about infant development. It can be very harmful and alarming for parents to hear the word “failure” about their child, even if the child’s growth is stagnant. Similarly, hearing the words “obese” or “fat” used about family members or themselves can be harmful to parents and children. Finally, the authors emphasize that “specific percentiles should not be set as growth targets.” It should be assumed that there are individual differences. ”
Overall, “there may be some challenges and concerns associated with premature growth during the neonatal period, but these risks are not necessarily predetermined by the infant’s premature birth or course in the neonatal intensive care unit. ” In fact, the majority of uncomplicated preterm infants tend to catch up in head circumference, weight, and height measurements between 0 and 36 months.
If you are interested in learning more about this review and delving deeper into the many factors that can influence an infant’s growth and health throughout their life, check out Dr. Tanith Fenton’s article on desirable growth patterns for preterm infants. Watch the lecture. This podcast is episode 2 of. Recently launched podcast series “Advances in Nutrition: An International Review Journal – The Podcast.”
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