Growth and sexual maturation of low birth weight children: a 14 year follow up.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the physical growth and sexual maturation of children born with low birth weight (< 2000 g). (LBW).

DESIGN

Longitudinal follow up.

SETTING

Hospital born urban cohort.

METHODS

Weight, height, head circumference and pubertal changes were recorded till 14 years at specified intervals in 252 LBW and 176 control (term neonates with birth weights > or = 2500 g) children. Effect of prematurity and fetal growth retardation (SFD) was studied in 79 preterm appropriate for gestation and 45 term SFD children.

RESULTS

LBW boys significantly lagged behind their controls for all physical growth parameters till 14 years, while the LBW girls had a physical growth comparable to controls after 11 years. Preterms had comparable weight, height and head circumference with their controls after 11 years. The SFDs, however, remained significantly handicapped in their overall physical growth even at 14 years. In comparison to controls, menarche occured 6 months earlier in preterms and 12 months earlier in SFD girls. However, there was no change in the sequence of pubertal changes in either preterms or SFDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Fetal growth retardation has a lasting adverse effect on later physical growth, while most preterms catch up with their peers by adolescence.