Predicting the Growth Percentile of Extremely Low Birthweight Infants

Nearly one in ten low birthweight infants are considered extremely low birthweight (ELBW), weighing less that 1000 grams at birth and 27 weeks or less gestational age. Survival rates and morbidity often vary within countries1 and while the survival rate for these infants has increased, there has been very little decrease in the proportion of infants with severe sequelae, for example, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, neurosensory disorders, or cerebral palsy. Compounding these morbidities is the role socio-economic status, race and gender are thought to contribute to the health issues. Because of the morbidities that occur with premature birth it is imperative for healthcare professionals to know the influence that major medical complications and associated social factors have on the growth of ELBW infants. Understanding the influence of these factors on growth will assist healthcare professionals in discussing developmental issues and growth expectations with parents of ELBW infants. Therefore, a secondary data analysis was conducted to help identify the growth percentile and those factors that may influence the growth of ELBW infants. The purposes of the study are to determine whether at six and 12 months: (1) bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), gender, race, and socio-economic status (private insurance versus Medicaid) predict ELBW infants' (750-1000 grams) growth percentiles (weight, height, and head circumference); (2) hospital length of stay and gestational age predict growth percentiles; and (3) prenatal care, maternal age and parity predict growth percentiles.