All issues > Volume 32(5); 1989

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1989;32(5):606-619. Published online May 31, 1989.

Postnatal Weight Curve in Low Birth Weight(Appropriate for Gestational Age) Infants.

Kyoung Mi Park¹, Ran Namgung¹, Chul Lee¹, Dong Gwan Han¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Received: July 11, 1988;  Accepted: November 1, 1988.

Abstract

Postnatal body weight changes were observed in 171 surviving infants with birth weights from 875 gm to 2,125 gm who were born at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine form 1981 to 1987. Only infants whose sizes were appropriate for gestational age were included in the study. Infants were divided into 5 groups by biπh weight, with the median weight were 2,000 gm, 1,750 gm, 1,500 gm, 1,250 gm, 1,000 gm. Each birth weight group was again subdivided into normal growth, mild morbid growth, and severe morbid growth groups. The results were as follows: 1) For each birth weight group, there were no significant differences in postnatal weight change between normal growth and mild morbid growth subgroups. Therefore, standard postnatal weight curves were designed based on the postnatal weight changes of both the normal growth and mild morbid growth group. 2) Comparing the postnatal weight curve of the standard group with that of Dancis (1948), there was less postnatal weight loss and delayed recovery of birth weight in this study. But the gain in mean daily body weight after maximal weight loss was greater in this study 3) The severe morbid growth group exhibited delayed growth when compared to the standard growth group. In the severe morbid group, the duration of postnatal weight loss was prolonged and the recovery of birth weight was delayed. Postnatal weight loss was greater and the mean daily body weight gain after maximal weight loss was less than the standard growth group. This difference was statistically significant in the birth weight group of 2000 gm and 1750 gm (p < 0.05). The mean calory intake was less in the severe morbid growth group than in the standard growth group. From the above results, the postnatal weight change of low birth weight infants was found to be slightly different from that of Dancis (1948). Furthermore, much prolonged and excessive postnatal weight loss is not usual even in low birth weight infants. When this occurs, evaluation and proper treatment for underlying morbidity may be needed.

Keywords :Postnatal weight curve, Low birth weight