Defining growth faltering and malnutrition among very preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit | Synapse
February 14, 2026Open Access
Defining growth faltering and malnutrition among very preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit
Key Points
The aim is to evaluate how the weight-for-age cut-off misclassifies preterm infants regarding growth and malnutrition.
Analyzed growth metrics in very preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Compared weight-for-age cut-offs with malnutrition classifications based on z-scores.
Assessed infant growth at 36 weeks postmenstrual age.
Many preterm infants were misclassified when using ≤10%ile for weight-for-age.
Z-scores provided a more accurate categorization of malnutrition and growth issues.
Abstract
The use of ≤10%ile for weight-for-age as a cut-off to identify growth concerns at 36 weeks postmenstrual age misclassified many preterm infants compared to malnutrition categories using z-scores.