Growth charts for use at birth and in the neonatal period: Recommendations of the French Neonatal Society.

INTRODUCTION

The use of different growth charts can lead to confusion in discussions between professionals. There are obstetric charts (of fetal growth) and neonatal charts (of measurements at birth and of postnatal growth). These charts can be descriptive (derived from an unselected population) or prescriptive (derived from of a population at low risk and with optimal conditions for growth).

OBJECTIVES

(1) To describe available charts for infants at birth and in the neonatal period and compare them, and (2) to recommend one or more charts for use in neonatology in France.

METHODS

Bibliographic research was conducted on MEDLINE and completed by the guidelines of professional societies.

RESULTS

Antenatal information about fetal growth restriction or fetuses identified as small-for-gestational-age using Intrauterine charts must be integrated into the identification of newborns at risk, but the use of Intrauterine charts to evaluate birthweight is not recommended to allow consistency with postnatal charts used in neonatal practice. Z-score variations using the updated Fenton postnatal charts are the most appropriate for the assessment of birthweight and postnatal growth for infants born preterm. These charts are sex-specific, include the three measurements (length, weight, and head circumference) and enable longitudinal follow-up of growth up to 50 weeks of corrected age and are linked to the World Health Organization charts at term. The French Audipog charts, although are individualized, accessible online and can be used in maternity units to evaluate birthweight for term infants, but do not allow the follow-up of postnatal growth, while Fenton charts may be used to evaluate birthweight and postnatal growth in the first month for hospitalized term infants.

CONCLUSION

The updated Fenton charts are the neonatal charts that best suit the objectives of pediatricians in France for monitoring the growth of preterm newborns. The use of the Audipog charts at term remains an alternative in maternity wards, while Fenton charts can be used for hospitalized term newborns.