• George C Powers, Rajam Ramamurthy, John Schoolfield, and Kathleen Matula.
• Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, MSC 7812, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA. george_powers@pediatrix.com
• Pediatrics. 2008 Dec 1; 122 (6): 1258-65.

ObjectivesThe goals were to assess postdischarge growth and developmental progress of very low birth weight (birth weight: <1500 g) premature infants in a predominantly Hispanic population and to identify predictors for neurodevelopmental impairment at 3 years of age.MethodsA cohort of 135 very low birth weight infants (gestational age: 23 to 35 weeks) were monitored to 3 years of age. Maternal and neonatal characteristics, anthropometric z scores, and developmental performance (using corrected age until 24 months) were analyzed collectively and according to gestational age groups. Specific criteria for failure to thrive and microcephaly were used.ResultsA characteristic pattern of poor weight gain in the first 12 months was followed by accelerated weight gain starting at 18 months, whereas head growth decreased at 18 months, with recovery beginning at 30 months of age. Infants born at gestational age of or=27 weeks achieved catch-up growth by 30 months of age. Mean developmental scores also decreased in infancy, with improvements in motor development emerging at 18 months and cognitive skills at 30 months. Growth z scores, particularly for head growth, correlated with developmental scores. Infants born at gestational age of ConclusionsVery low birth weight infants exhibited growth patterns that coincided with developmental progress in the first 3 years of life. Birth at gestational age of

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