• Meng Sun, Jing Lu, Yan Zheng, Qianqian Zhu, and Caixia Liu.
• Meng Sun, Department of Early Childhood Development Center, Zaozhuang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zaozhuang, Shandong Province 277100, P.R. China.
• Pak J Med Sci. 2022 Jul 1; 38 (6): 1644-1648.

ObjectivesTo understand the incidence and related risk factors of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) in preterm infants.MethodsThe clinical data of 132 premature infants hospitalized in the neonatal ward of Maternity and Child Health Care of Zaozhuang from July 2019 to June 2020 were collected. Children were divided into groups according to their birth gestational age (<32 weeks, 32~35 weeks and >35 weeks) and birth weight (<1-500 g, 1,500~2,500 g and >2,500 g). Treatment during hospitalization and follow-up after discharge were investigated by retrospective analysis. Incidence of EUGR in premature infants at discharge and the related risk factors leading to this complication, demonstrated by logistic multivariate regression analysis, were summarized.ResultsWhen evaluated according to weight, length and head circumference, incidence of EUGR at discharge in premature infants were 36.36%, 41.67% and 21.97% respectively. Smaller gestational age and lower birth weight significantly correlated with higher incidence of EUGR at discharge (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that small gestational age, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, late first intestinal feeding, digestive system complications and respiratory system complications were independent risk factors for EUGR in premature infants discharged from hospital (P<0.05).ConclusionsThe incidence of EUGR in premature infants at discharge is relatively high. Strengthening perinatal health care for pregnant women, reducing the incidence of intrauterine growth retardation and preterm birth, giving intestinal feeding as soon as possible after birth, and actively participating in preventing and treating postnatal complications are effective ways to reduce the incidence of EUGR at discharge.Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.

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