Babies born small for gestational age (SGA) are at risks of developing growth failure and impaired neurodevelopment as long-term outcomes when nutritional supply is inadequate during postnatal period. However, metabolic outcomes and cardiovascular risks later in life also do matter when excessive nutritional intake induces rapid catch-up growth after birth. Preterm infants born SGA and still small at hospital discharge need more nutrients than term infants to catch up within the first 2 years, whereas term infants born SGA should be cautious in gaining weight anytime. Therefore, nutritional strategies for optimal growth of SGA infants should be planned individually based on evidences.
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Hye Ran Yang (2016) studied this question.
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