Longitudinal Follow-Up on the Growth Rates and Influence Factors of Preterm and Full-Term Infants in Urban Areas of Hubei Province: A Birth Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective: It was to explore the growth rates and influence factors of length and weight of preterm and full-term infants in urban areas of Hubei province to provide reference for child health and related clinical field.Methods: A birth cohort study was used to analyze the growth rates and influence factors of length and weight of preterm and full-term infants in urban areas of Hubei province by multivariate regression analysis.Results: The growth rates of length and weight of preterm infants were significantly lower than those of full-term infants from birth to 3 months (P < 0.05), and gradually caught up to the level of full-term infants after 3 months (P > 0.05). Meanwhile, there were some influence factors which had significant differences by the contribution to the growth rates of length and weight of preterm and full-term infants. It was proposed that the perinatal factors were attached more importance to the growth rates of preterm infants.Conclusion: This study was to investigate the growth rates and influence factors of length and weight of preterm and full-term infants, and to take effective intervention measures to promote growth and development of preterm infants in urban areas of Hubei province.