*Growth of Infants and Young Children Born Small or Large for Gestational
Age *

*Findings From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey *

Mary L. Hediger, PhD; Mary D. Overpeck, DrPH; Kurt R. Maurer, PhD; Robert J.
Kuczmarski, PhD; Andrea McGlynn, MS; William W. Davis, PhD

*Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med.* 1998;152:1225-1231.

*Objectives * To compare the growth profiles of infants and young children
born small for gestational age (SGA, <10th percentile birth weight for
gestation) or large for gestational age (LGA, [image: >=]90th percentile)
with those appropriate for gestational age, and to document the expected
growth patterns through early childhood based on national health examination
survey data.

*Sample * Infants and children, 2 to 47 months of age, who were born in the
United States and examined using the Third National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey (1988-1994).

*Main Outcome Measures * Measurements of growth status based on normalized
distributions (*z* scores or standard deviation units [SDUs] for weight,
length, and head circumference.

*Results * Prevalence rates were as follows: SGA infants, 8.6%; appropriate
for gestational age infants, 80.9%; and LGA infants, 10.5%. Infants who were
SGA appeared to catch up in weight in the first 6 months, but thereafter
maintained a deficit of about -0.75 SDUs compared with infants who were
appropriate for gestational age. The weight status of LGA infants remained at
about +0.50 SDUs through 47 months of age. Length and head circumference
were also associated with birth weight status, averaging over -0.60 SDUs for
SGA infants and +0.43 SDUs for LGA infants.

*Conclusions * Birth weight status is related to growth rates in infancy and
early childhood, which underscores the importance of considering child
growth relative to birth status when using growth charts. Small for
gestational age infants remain shorter and lighter and have smaller head
circumferences, while LGA infants grow longer and heavier and have larger
head circumferences.

HERE ARE SOME OTHER CITATIONS:
*Tracking of Body Size from Birth to Late Adolescence: Contributions of
Birth Length, Birth Weight, Duration of Gestation, Parents' Body Size, and
Twinship*
Pietilainen et al.
*Am J Epidemiol* 2001;154:21-29.
**
* G**rowth and Fatness at Three to Six Years of Age of Children Born Small-
or Large-for-Gestational Age*
Hediger et al.
*Pediatrics* 1999;104 :e33-e33.
Hope this helps,
Laurie Wheeler RN MN IBCLC
Mississippi USA

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