Abstract
Background: The rate of preterm births ranges from 5% to 18% across 184 countries. Almost 12% births are preterm in low-income countries compared with 9% in high-income countries. Almost 1 million children die each year due to complications of preterm birth. Of those who survive, suffer from face developmental disabilities and undernourishment.
Aims and Objectives: To assess the physical growth and its relation with the development of babies taken into study.
Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 159 preterm babies of gestational age 32 to 36 weeks. All the treatments given during hospitalization, course of stay, and special procedures done were recorded. Baby’s weight, length, and head circumference were again noted at the time of discharge. Anthropometric measurements were done at every follow-up visit. Neurodevelopmental screening was performed at each follow-up. At the end of 12 months the risk factors contributing to the delayed development were analyzed.
Results: 95.5% infants born as preterm had a length of more than 58 cm (– 3SD) and weight 5.6 kg at 1 year and 50% infants had a head circumference of more than 39 cm (– 3SD).
Conclusion: Preterm babies when followed-up for 1 year of age did attain appropriate weight and length of their corrected age. Microcephaly was observed in 30% of babies at 1 year of age, of which 15.7% were found with developmental delay.
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