ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Most small for gestational age (SGA) infants show catch-up growth but the minority who do not may benefit from growth-promoting treatment. We determined the prevalence of, and risk factors for, failure to show catch-up growth in term SGA infants. METHODS: Prospective observational study of infants born at 37-42â¯weeks gestation between December 2012 and March 2014 with birth weight <10th percentile. Length, weight and head circumference were measured from birth to 2â¯years. RESULTS: Of 457 (3.9â¯%) term infants with SGA, 446 (97.6â¯%) were followed up until 2â¯years. At 24â¯months, supine length, weight and head circumference were ≥-2 standard deviation score (SDS) in 87.9â¯, 96.4 and 97.1â¯% subjects, with persistent short stature in 12.1â¯%. In a multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of failure to show catch-up growth at 24â¯months were: maternal height <150â¯cm, difference between mid-parental height and birth length of ≥2.2 SDS, height at 24â¯months <-2 SDS below mid-parental height SDS, history of SGA, ponderal index <3rd centile and duration of breast feeding <3â¯months. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides data concerning the epidemiology of SGA in Algeria and the factors associated with post-natal growth. Establishing which children remain short at 2â¯years has identified a cohort of patients requiring continuing follow up, with a view to instituting growth hormone therapy in selected cases. These results favour the setting up of an integrated national program to register SGA infants at birth, with re-evaluation at 2â¯years. (250 words).