Journal
BEST PRACTICE & RESEARCH CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
Volume 22, Issue 3, Pages 447-462Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2008.03.002
Keywords
infant; premature; growth disorders; growth and development; final stature; fetal origins; programming; barker hypothesis
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Approximately 10% of all infants are born prematurely. A large proportion of these infants show evidence of postnatal growth impairment irrespective of whether birth weight was appropriate or small for gestational age. The timing and magnitude of catch-up growth is very variable, with the most immature infants showing markedly delayed catch up which is often incomplete. Longterm studies suggest that final stature may be affected significantly. Growth impairment in itself is of concern and there are suggestions that this group of infants should be eligible for growth hormone treatment. However, in addition, there is increasing evidence to suggest that there should be additional concerns in this group of infants, as abnormal early growth may influence disease susceptibility in adult life. This review assesses the patterns of postnatal growth and the possible later implications of early aberrant growth patterns in later life.
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