Background and Aims: The growth of the preterm neonate is optimally expected to be similar to the foetus of the same gestational age. This study aims to describe the clinical profile and the risk factors associated with extra-uterine growth restriction (EUGR) in an urban tertiary care hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out in a neonatal unit at an urban tertiary care hospital, including preterm neonates with a birthweight of less than 1,500 g. At discharge, weight, length or head circumference below the 10th percentile ( Z score ≤ –1.28) for postmenstrual age, adjusted for sex, is classified as EUGR. Results: In the study group of 83 neonates, about 49 neonates (59.0%) had EUGR. Extra-uterine growth restriction was significantly more common among those neonates who had longer hospital stays, neonates receiving oxygen for more than 7 days, jaundice requiring phototherapy, blood transfusion and neonates who had not received parenteral nutrition ( P < .001). In multivariate analysis, the adjusted odds ratio remained significant for birth weight (per 100 g decrease), gestational age (per week decrease), small for gestational age (SGA) and longer duration to attain full feeds (per day increase). Mortality was higher in neonates with EUGR. Conclusion: The incidence of EUGR was 59% and was significantly associated with prematurity, SGA, longer duration of stay, longer need for oxygen, jaundice requiring phototherapy, longer time taken for full enteral feeds and blood transfusion. Ensuring adequate nutrition postnatally and regular growth monitoring will prevent EUGR and also prevent neurodevelopmental impairment in preterm neonates.
Kumaravel et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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