Growth status of small for gestational age Indian children from two socioeconomic strata

Abstract

Aims:To assess growth and factors associated with growth in children born small for gestational age (SGA) from two socioeconomic strata in comparison to age- and sex-matched healthy controls.Methods:Retrospective study conducted at two hospitals in Pune, 0.5–5 years, 618 children: 189-SGA from upper socioeconomic strata (USS), 217-SGA from lower socioeconomic strata (LSS), and 212 appropriate for gestational age healthy controls were randomly selected. Birth and maternal history, socioeconomic status, length/height, and weight of children were recorded. Anthropometric data were converted to Z scores (height for age Z-score [HAZ], weight for age Z-score [WAZ]) using WHO AnthroPlus software.Results:The HAZ and WAZ of the SGA group were significantly lower as compared to the controls and that of the LSS SGAs were lower than USS SGAs (P < 0.05). Thirty two percent children were stunted (HAZ <−2.0) in USS and 49% in LSS (P < 0.05). Twenty nine percent children in the USS SGA group were stunted at 2 years and 17% at 5 years. In the LSS SGA group, 54% children were stunted at 2 years and 46% at 5 years. Generalized linear model revealed normal vaginal delivery (β = 0.625) and mother's age (β =0.072) were positively associated and high SES (β = −0.830), absence of major illness (β = −1.01), higher birth weight (β = −1.34) were negatively associated for risk of stunting (P < 0.05).Conclusion:Children born SGA showed poor growth as compared to controls. Special attention to growth is necessary in children from LSS, very low birth weight babies, and those with major illnesses during early years of life.

Factors associated with catch‐up growth in early infancy in rural Pakistan: A longitudinal analysis of the women's work and nutrition study

“…To our knowledge, this is the first study to use a well‐accepted definition of catch‐up growth to identify predictors that are associated with a clinically relevant change in LAZ. Other studies have focused on change in length/height and weight‐for‐age as continuous measures (Adair et al, ; Khadilkar et al, ; Pelletier, Frongillo Jr, & Habicht, ) or have not used a definition of catch‐up growth that accounts for correlation between subsequent z‐scores (Bavdekar et al, ). We have defined catch‐up growth as a change in conditional z‐scores >0.67, thus accounting for RTM.…”

International Consensus Guideline on Small for Gestational Age: Etiology and Management From Infancy to Early Adulthood

“…In low- and middle-income countries, only 50% to 60% of infants born SGA show catch-up growth in either height, weight, or both, due to multiple factors, such as poor maternal and postnatal nutrition, poor hygiene, many infections, and factors associated with low socioeconomic status ( 110 ). Catch-up growth in countries with poor nutrition and relatively low protein dietary content may be delayed up to 4 to 5 years of age ( 111 ). Children of upper socioeconomic status show better catch-up growth ( 112 ).…”

Factors Associated with Catch-up Growth in Term, Asymmetrical Small-for-Gestational Age Infants in the First Year of Life

“…Previous studies have shown that CUG is not influenced by antenatal factors. 12,13 The association found in our study may be attributed to the severity of antenatal medical conditions and other confounding factors such as maternal age, pregnancy weight gain, or parity, although no significance was noted via multivariate analysis.…”