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  • Title: Identification of growth patterns of preterm and small-for-gestational age children from birth to 4 years - do they catch up?
    Author: Olbertz DM, Mumm R, Wittwer-Backofen U, Fricke-Otto S, Pyper A, Otte J, Wabitsch M, Gottmann P, Schwab KO, Scholten M, Gerstmann K, Voigt M.
    Journal: J Perinat Med; 2019 May 27; 47(4):448-454. PubMed ID: 30759068.
    Abstract:
    Background A legitimate indication for growth hormone (GH) therapy in children born too light or short at birth [small-for-gestational age (SGA)] exists in Germany and the European Union only if special criteria are met. Methods We conducted a longitudinal, multi-centered study on full-term appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA, n=1496) and pre-term born SGA (n=173) and full-term SGA children (n=891) in Germany from 2006 to 2010. We analyzed height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and head circumference. Results Pre-term or full-term born SGA children were shorter, lighter and had a lower BMI from birth until 3 years of age than full-term AGA children. The growth velocity of the analyzed anthropometric measurements was significantly higher in pre-term and full-term SGA children exclusively in the first 2 years of life than in AGA children. The criteria for GH treatment were fulfilled by 12.1% of pre-term SGA children compared to only 1.3% of full-term SGA children. Conclusion For children that do not catch up growth within the first 2 years of life, an earlier start of GH treatment should be considered, because a catch-up growth later than 2 years of life does not exist. Pre-term SGA-born children more frequently fulfill the criteria for GH treatment than full-term SGA children.
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