Outcome of small-for-gestational age and appropriate-for-gestational age infants born before 27 weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the consequences of being small-for-gestational age at extremely low gestational age.

METHODOLOGY

Comparison of two historical cohorts of small-for-gestational age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) infants born between 24 and 26 6/7 weeks of gestation (gestational age estimated by early ultrasound at 16 to 18 weeks). Data were collected retrospectively on 191 successive admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit between January 1, 1983, and December 31, 1992. These included: demographic and maternal information, delivery mode and condition at birth, mortality, neonatal intensive care unit morbidities (respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosis [PDA], chronic lung disease [CLD], retinopathy of prematurity [ROP], necrotizing enterocolitis, infection), nutrition, and length of hospitalization.

RESULTS

Forty-one (21%) of the 191 infants were classified as SGA. Those with congenital anomalies (10% in the SGA and 2% in the AGA group) were excluded from further analysis. Despite a similar rate of respiratory distress syndrome (50%), the SGA infants had a greater rate of failure of indomethacin treatment for PDA closure (54% vs 32% for AGA), a higher risk for CLD defined as a need for supplementary oxygen at 36 weeks (65% vs 32% for AGA), a more prolonged need for oxygen supplementation and ventilatory support (94 days vs 68 days for AGA and 58 days vs 40 days for AGA, respectively). SGA infants were also at greater risk for developing severe ROP (stage >/=III) (65% vs 12% for AGA).

CONCLUSIONS

For infants born before 27 weeks, being small-for-gestational age confers additional risks for severe morbidity, ie, PDA ligation, CLD, and ROP.