Small-Scale Variations in Urban Air Pollution Levels Are Significantly Associated with Premature Births: A Case Study in São Paulo, Brazil.

Premature birth is the result of a complex interaction among genetic, epigenetic, behavioral, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. We evaluated the possible associations between air pollution and the incidence of prematurity in spatial clusters of high and low prevalence in the municipality of São Paulo. It is a spatial case-control study. The residential addresses of mothers with live births that occurred in 2012 and 2013 were geo-coded. A spatial scan statistical test performed to identify possible low-prevalence and high-prevalence clusters of premature births. After identifying, the spatial clusters were drawn samples of cases and controls in each cluster. Mothers were interviewed face-to-face using questionnaires. Air pollution exposure was assessed by passive tubes (NO2 and O3) as well as by the determination of trace elements' concentration in tree bark. Binary logistic regression models were applied to determine the significance of the risk of premature birth. Later prenatal care, urinary infection, and hypertension were individual risk factors for prematurity. Particles produced by traffic emissions (estimated by tree bark accumulation) and photochemical pollutants involved in the photochemical cycle (estimated by O3 and NO2 passive tubes) also exhibited significant and robust risks for premature births. The results indicate that air pollution is an independent risk factor for prematurity.

Detecting congenital hypothyroidism with newborn screening: the relevance of thyroid-stimulating hormone cutoff values / Detecção de hipotireoidismo congênito pela triagem neonatal: a relevância dos valores de corte de hormônio estimulante da tireoide

Abstract Objectives: To assess the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism and the ability of various neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSHneo) cutoff values to detect this disease. Methods: This cohort study was based on the retrospective collection of information available from the Reference Service for Newborn Screening database for all live births from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2012, assessed using the Newborn Screening Program of a Brazilian state, Brazil. The infants were divided into two groups: I - Control: infants with normal newborn screening tests and II - Study: infants with congenital hypothyroidism. Analysis included comparing the TSHneo levels from both groups. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to assess the TSHneo cutoff values. Results: Using a TSHneo cutoff value of 5.0 µIU/mL, 50 out of 111,705 screened infants had diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism (prevalence 1:2234 live births). The ROC curve showed that TSHneo value of 5.03 µIU/mL had 100% sensitivity and the greatest associated specificity (93.7%). The area under the curve was 0.9898 (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The ROC curve confirmed that the TSHneo cutoff value of 5.0 µIU/mL adopted by the Newborn Screening Program of a Brazilian state was the most appropriate for detecting congenital hypothyroidism and most likely explains the high prevalence that was found.

Resumo Objetivos: Avaliar a prevalência do hipotireoidismo congênito e a capacidade de vários valores de corte do hormônio estimulante da tireoide de neonatos (TSHneo) para detectar essa doença. Métodos: Este estudo de coorte teve como base a coleta retrospectiva de informações disponíveis no banco de dados do Serviço de Referência em Triagem Neonatal de todos os nascidos vivos de 1∘ de janeiro de 2010 a 31 de dezembro de 2012, avaliados no Programa de Triagem Neonatal de um estado brasileiro. Os neonatos foram divididos em dois grupos: I - Controle: neonatos com testes de triagem neonatal normais e II - Estudo: neonatos com hipotireoidismo congênito. A análise incluiu a comparação entre os níveis de TSHneo dos dois grupos. Uma curva do poder discriminante do teste (ROC) foi criada para avaliar os diferentes valores de corte de TSHneo. Resultados: Utilizando um valor de corte de TSHneo de 5,0 IU/mL, 50 dos 111.705 neonatos examinados foram diagnosticados com hipotireoidismo congênito (prevalência de 1:2.234 nascidos vivos). A curva ROC mostrou que o valor do TSHneo de 5,03 IU/mL possuía sensibilidade de 100% e a maior especificidade relacionada (93,7%). A área abaixo da curva foi 0,9898 (p < 0,0001). Conclusões: A curva ROC confirmou que o valor de corte de TSHneo de 5,0 IU/mL adotado pelo Programa de Triagem Neonatal de um estado brasileiro foi o mais adequado na detecção do hipotireoidismo congênito e provavelmente explica a alta prevalência constatada.

Late preterm infants' motor development until term age.

OBJECTIVES:: To analyze the motor development of late preterm newborn infants (LPI) from birth to term-corrected age using the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) and to compare the obtained results with those of term infants at birth. METHODS:: Prospective cohort study, 29 late preterm newborn infants were evaluated by the TIMP at birth and every two weeks until term-corrected age. The TIMP was administered to 88 term infants at birth. RESULTS:: The mean TIMP score of late preterm newborn infants was 51.9±5.8 at 34-35 weeks and 62.6±5.2 at 40 weeks. There was a significant increase at 38-39 weeks in the LPI group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the motor evaluations between term infants at birth and LPI at the equivalent age. CONCLUSION:: The LPI presented a gradual progression of motor development until the term-corrected age, but differences with term infants at birth were not detected.

Late preterm infants' motor development until term age

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the motor development of late preterm newborn infants (LPI) from birth to term-corrected age using the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) and to compare the obtained results with those of term infants at birth. METHODS: Prospective cohort study, 29 late preterm newborn infants were evaluated by the TIMP at birth and every two weeks until term-corrected age. The TIMP was administered to 88 term infants at birth. RESULTS: The mean TIMP score of late preterm newborn infants was 51.9±5.8 at 34–35 weeks and 62.6±5.2 at 40 weeks. There was a significant increase at 38–39 weeks in the LPI group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the motor evaluations between term infants at birth and LPI at the equivalent age. CONCLUSION: The LPI presented a gradual progression of motor development until the term-corrected age, but differences with term infants at birth were not detected.

Detecting congenital hypothyroidism with newborn screening: the relevance of thyroid-stimulating hormone cutoff values.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism and the ability of various neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSHneo) cutoff values to detect this disease. METHODS: This cohort study was based on the retrospective collection of information available from the Reference Service for Newborn Screening database for all live births from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2012, assessed using the Newborn Screening Program of a Brazilian state, Brazil. The infants were divided into two groups: I - Control: infants with normal newborn screening tests and II - Study: infants with congenital hypothyroidism. Analysis included comparing the TSHneo levels from both groups. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to assess the TSHneo cutoff values. RESULTS: Using a TSHneo cutoff value of 5.0µIU/mL, 50 out of 111,705 screened infants had diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism (prevalence 1:2234 live births). The ROC curve showed that TSHneo value of 5.03µIU/mL had 100% sensitivity and the greatest associated specificity (93.7%). The area under the curve was 0.9898 (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The ROC curve confirmed that the TSHneo cutoff value of 5.0µIU/mL adopted by the Newborn Screening Program of a Brazilian state was the most appropriate for detecting congenital hypothyroidism and most likely explains the high prevalence that was found.

Late-onset sepsis in very low birth weight infants: a Brazilian Neonatal Research Network Study.

BACKGROUND: Late-onset sepsis (LOS) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. AIM: To determine the incidence, risk factors and etiology of LOS. METHODS: LOS was investigated in a multicenter prospective cohort of infants at eight public university neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Inclusion criteria included inborn, 23-33 weeks of gestational age, 400-1499 g birth weight, who survived >3 days. RESULTS: Of 1507 infants, 357 (24%) had proven LOS and 345 (23%) had clinical LOS. Infants with LOS were more likely to die. The majority of infections (76%) were caused by Gram-positive organisms. Independent risk factors for proven LOS were use of central venous catheter and mechanical ventilation, age at the first feeding and number of days on parenteral nutrition and on mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSION: LOS incidence and mortality are high in Brazilian VLBW infants. Most risk factors are associated with routine practices at NICU.

Hematological and iron content evolution in exclusively breastfed late-preterm newborns.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze and compare the evolution of hematological parameters and body iron content between exclusively breastfed late-preterm and term newborns during the first two months of life. METHODS: Cohort study. Weight, length, head circumference, body mass index, hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocytes, total iron-binding capacity, transferrin saturation, serum iron and ferritin were measured in 25 late-preterm and 21 term newborns (at birth and at one and two months of age) who were exclusively breastfed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test; and Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test. SIGNIFICANCE: p<0.05. RESULTS: The corrected gestational ages of the late-preterm infants were 39.98 weeks at one month of life and 44.53 weeks at two months. Anthropometric measures and the body mass index increased over time (p<0.001) and hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocytes and body iron content decreased (p<0.001). Late-preterm infants at term corrected gestational age had reduced hemoglobin, hematocrit and reticulocyte concentrations, and reduced total iron-binding capacity (p<0.001) and serum iron (p=0.0034) compared with values observed in term newborns at birth. Late-preterm newborns at a corrected gestational age of one month post-term had hemoglobin (p=0.0002), hematocrit (p=0.0008), iron (p<0.0001) and transferrin saturation (p<0.001) levels lower than those of term newborns at one month of age and a higher total iron-binding capacity (p=0.0018). Ferritin did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Exclusively breastfed late-preterm newborns presented greater reductions in hemoglobin/hematocrit and lower iron stores at a corrected gestational age of one month post-term than did term newborns, suggesting specific iron supplementation needs.

Hematological and iron content evolution in exclusively breastfed late-preterm newborns

OBJECTIVES: To analyze and compare the evolution of hematological parameters and body iron content between exclusively breastfed late-preterm and term newborns during the first two months of life. METHODS: Cohort study. Weight, length, head circumference, body mass index, hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocytes, total iron-binding capacity, transferrin saturation, serum iron and ferritin were measured in 25 late-preterm and 21 term newborns (at birth and at one and two months of age) who were exclusively breastfed. Statistical analysis: Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test; and Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test. Significance: p<0.05. RESULTS: The corrected gestational ages of the late-preterm infants were 39.98 weeks at one month of life and 44.53 weeks at two months. Anthropometric measures and the body mass index increased over time (p<0.001) and hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocytes and body iron content decreased (p<0.001). Late-preterm infants at term corrected gestational age had reduced hemoglobin, hematocrit and reticulocyte concentrations, and reduced total iron-binding capacity (p<0.001) and serum iron (p = 0.0034) compared with values observed in term newborns at birth. Late-preterm newborns at a corrected gestational age of one month post-term ...

[Infant breastfeeding prevalence in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, 2008]. / Avaliação da situação do aleitamento materno em menores de um ano de idade no Município de São Paulo, Brasil, em 2008.

This cross-sectional epidemiological study based on AMAMUNIC aimed to evaluate infant breastfeeding (BF) prevalence and duration in São Paulo, Brazil. Sample size was based on a cluster calculation, selecting 35 primary care units and 35 infants (< 1 year of age) per unit. A total of 1,424 interviews with mothers were performed (56 items on feeding in the previous 24 hours) in August 2008, subsequently analyzed according to residential areas: Central West, East, North, Southeast, and South. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was 52% up to three months and 39% up to six months, as follows: 44% (Central West), 57% (East), 62% (North), 43% (Southeast), and 48% (South) up to three months and 36% (Central West), 46% (East), 39% (North), 36% (Southeast), and 33% (South) up to six months. Prevalence of EBF according to infant age was 58% in the first month, 50% in the second and third, and 13% in the sixth. In conclusion, EBF prevalence up to six months is still heterogeneous in the city, suggesting the need for programs to encourage BF that are differentiated according to region.

Fatores de risco associados ao desmame em crianças até seis meses de idade no município de São Paulo / Risk factors associated to weaning from breastfeeding until six months of age in São Paulo city / Factores de riesgo asociados al destete en niños hasta seis meses de edad en el municipio de São Paulo

Avaliar os fatores de risco associados à ausência de aleitamento materno exclusivo (AME) em crianças <6 meses de vida na cidade de São Paulo, em 2008. MÉTODOS: Aplicou-se o questionário do Projeto Amamentação e Municípios-1998 (AMAMUNIC) a pais/responsáveis de crianças <6 meses de idade durante a Campanha Nacional de Vacinação contra Poliomielite. Cálculo da amostra por conglomerados com sorteio em dois estágios. Os fatores analisados foram idade e educação materna, peso de nascimento, sexo, tipo de parto, nascer em Hospital Amigo da Criança, presença de aleitamento materno precoce, uso de chupeta nas últimas 24 horas e mãe trabalhando fora de casa. Análise estatística por regressão logística binária com SPSS, versão 15.0, sendo significante p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Foram realizadas 724 entrevistas, das quais 275 referiram (39,1 por cento) aleitamento materno exclusivo (Grupo I - GI) e 429 (60,9 por cento) sem aleitamento materno exclusivo (Grupo II - GII). Houve diferenças entre os grupos quanto ao uso da chupeta nas últimas 24 horas (GI 32,3 versus GII 59,8 por cento; p<0.001), mães trabalhando fora (GI 12,4 versus GII 24,8 por cento; p<0.001) e idade da criança (GI 74,1±45,3 versus GII 105,8±49,5 dias; p<0,0001).Na análise multivariada, houve associação entre ausência de aleitamento materno exclusivo e uso de chupeta (OR 3,02; IC95 por cento 2,10-4,36), mãe trabalhando fora (OR 2,11; IC95 por cento 1,24-3,57) e idade da criança (OR 1,01; IC95 por cento 1,01-1,02). CONCLUSÕES: O uso da chupeta nas últimas 24 horas associou-se à ausência de AME em crianças menores do que seis meses, seguido pelo trabalho materno fora de casa e pela idade da criança, que são importantes fatores a serem controlados em programas de promoção do aleitamento materno.

To evaluate risk factors associated to interruption of exclusive breastfeeding among children <6 months of age in São Paulo city in 2008. METHODS: A special questionnaire (Breastfeeding and Cities Project-1998) was applied to the parents/guardians of children <6 months of age during the National Poliomyelitis Campaign. Sample calculation used a two stage cluster sampling procedure. The following groups were compared: I (children exclusively breastfed); II (children without exclusive breastfeeding). Factors analyzed: mother's age and schooling, infant birth weight, gender, type of delivery, being born in a Baby-Friendly Hospital, presence of early breastfeeding, use of pacifier in the last 24 hours, and mother working outside home. Statistical analysis included binary logistic regression by SPSS 15.0, being significant p<0.05. RESULTS: 724 interviews were performed with 275 (39.1 percent) children in Group I and 429 (60.9 percent) in Group II. Differences between groups were found on: use of pacifier in the last 24 hours (GI 32.3 vs. GII59.8 percent; p<0.0001), mothers working outside home (GI 12.4 vs. GII 24.8 percent; p=0.0002) and child's age(GI 74.1±45.3 vs. GII105.8±49.5 days; p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed significant association of non-exclusive breastfeeding in this sample with use of pacifier in the last 24 hours (OR 3.02; 95 percentCI 2.10-4.36); mother working outside home (OR 2.11; 95 percentCI 1.24-3.57), and child's age (OR 1.01, 95 percentCI 1.01-1.02). CONCLUSIONS: In this population under six months of age, the use of pacifier in the last 24 hours was associated with not being exclusively breastfed, as well as mother work outside home and child's age. These are important factors to consider in breastfeeding promotion programs.

Evaluar los factores de riesgo asociados a la ausencia de lactancia materna exclusiva (LME) en niños con <6 meses de vida en la ciudad de São Paulo, Brasil, en 2008. MÉTODOS: Se aplicó el cuestionario del Proyecto Lactancia y Municipios-1998 (AMAMUNIC) a padres/responsables de niños con <6 meses de edad durante la Campaña Nacional de Vacunación contra la Poliomielitis. Cálculo de la muestra por conglomerados con sorteo en dos etapas. Los factores analizados fueron edad y educación materna, peso de nacimiento, sexo, tipo de parto, nacer en Hospital Amigo del Niño, presencia de lactancia materna precoz, uso de chupete las últimas 24 horas y madre trabajando fuera de casa. Análisis estadístico fue realizado por regresión logística binaria con el SPSS, versión 15.0, siendo significante p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron 724 entrevistas, de las que 275 refirieron (39,1 por ciento) lactancia materna exclusiva (Grupo I - GI) y 429 (60,9 por ciento) sin lactancia materna exclusiva (Grupo II - GII). Hubo diferencias entre los grupos respecto al uso del chupete las últimas 24 horas (GI 32,3 vs. GII 59,8 por ciento; p<0.001), madres trabajando fuera (GI 12,4 vs. GII 24,8 por ciento; p<0.001) y edad del niño (GI 74,1±45,3 vs. GII 105,8±49,5 días; p<0,0001). En el análisis multivariado, hubo asociación entre ausencia de lactancia materna exclusiva y uso de chupete (OR 3,02; IC95 por ciento 2,10-4,36), madre trabajando fuera (OR 2,11; IC95 por ciento 1,24-3,57) y edad del niño (OR 1,01; IC95 por ciento 1,01-1,02). CONCLUSIONES: El uso de chupete las últimas 24 horas se asoció a la ausencia de LME en niños menores que seis meses, seguido por el trabajo materno fuera de casa y por la edad del niño, que son importantes factores a controlar en programas de promoción de la lactancia materna.

Longitudinal study of Cystatin C in healthy term newborns.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of Cystatin C in healthy term newborns in the first month of life. INTRODUCTION: Cystatin C may be a suitable marker for determining the glomerular filtration rate because it is not affected by maternal renal function. METHODS: Cohort study. Inclusion: term newborns with appropriate weight; mother without renal failure or drugs that could affect fetal glomerular filtration rate. Exclusion: malformations; hypertension or any condition that could affect glomerular filtration rate. Cystatin C (mg/L)and creatinine (rng/dl) were determined in the mother (Mo) and in the newborn at birth (Day-0), 3rd (Day-3), 7th(Day-7) and 28t>h(Day-28) days. STATISTICS: one way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation tests. Sample size of 20 subjects for a = 5% and a power test = 80% (p<0.05). RESULTS: Data from 21 newborns were obtained (mean + standard deviation): MoCystatin C=1.00 ± 0.20; Day-0 Cystatin C 1.70 ± 0.26; Day-3 Cystatin C = 1.51 ± 0.20; Day-7 Cystatin C = 1.54 ± 0.10; Day-28 Cystatin C = 1.51 ± 0.10. MoCystatin C was smaller than Day-0 Cystatin C (p < 0.001), while MoCreatinine was not different from Day-0 Creatinine. Cystatin C only decreased from Day-0 to Day-3 (p = 0.004) but newborns Creatinine decreased along the time. Correlations were obtained between MoCystatin C and MoCreatinine (p = 0.012), as well as Day-3 (p = 0.047) and Day-28 (p = 0.022) Cystatin C and Creatinine values. CONCLUSION: Neonatal Cystatin C values were not affected by MoCystatin C and became stable from the 3rd day of life.

Red blood cell transfusions are independently associated with intra-hospital mortality in very low birth weight preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm infants are associated with increased intra-hospital mortality. STUDY DESIGN: Variables associated with death were studied with Cox regression analysis in a prospective cohort of preterm infants with birth weight <1500 g in the Brazilian Network on Neonatal Research. Intra-hospital death and death after 28 days of life were analyzed as dependent variables. Independent variables were infant demographic and clinical characteristics and RBC transfusions. RESULTS: Of 1077 infants, 574 (53.3%) received at least one RBC transfusion during the hospital stay. The mean number of transfusions per infant was 3.3 ± 3.4, with 2.1 ± 2.1 in the first 28 days of life. Intra-hospital death occurred in 299 neonates (27.8%), and 60 infants (5.6%) died after 28 days of life. After adjusting for confounders, the relative risk of death during hospital stay was 1.49 in infants who received at least one RBC transfusion in the first 28 days of life, compared with infants who did not receive a transfusion. The risk of death after 28 days of life was 1.89 times higher in infants who received more than two RBC transfusions during their hospital stay, compared with infants who received one or two transfusions. CONCLUSION: Transfusion was associated with increased death, and transfusion guidelines should consider risks and benefits of transfusion.

Longitudinal study of Cystatin C in healthy term newborns

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of Cystatin C in healthy term newborns in the first month of life. INTRODUCTION: Cystatin C may be a suitable marker for determining the glomerular filtration rate because it is not affected by maternal renal function. METHODS: Cohort study. Inclusion: term newborns with appropriate weight; mother without renal failure or drugs that could affect fetal glomerular filtration rate. Exclusion: malformations; hypertension or any condition that could affect glomerular filtration rate. Cystatin C (mg/L)and creatinine (rng/dl) were determined in the mother (Mo) and in the newborn at birth (Day-0), 3rd (Day-3), 7th(Day-7) and 28t>h(Day-28) days. Statistics: one way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation tests. Sample size of 20 subjects for a = 5 percent and a power test = 80 percent (p<0.05). RESULTS: Data from 21 newborns were obtained (mean + standard deviation): MoCystatin C=1.00 ± 0.20; Day-0 Cystatin C 1.70 ± 0.26; Day-3 Cystatin C = 1.51±0.20; Day-7 Cystatin C = 1.54 ± 0.10; Day-28 Cystatin C= 1.51±0.10. MoCystatin C was smaller than Day-0 Cystatin C (p<0.001), while MoCreatinine was not different from Day-0 Creatinine. Cystatin C only decreased from Day-0 to Day-3 (p = 0.004) but newborns Creatinine decreased along the time. Correlations were obtained between MoCystatin C and MoCreatinine (p = 0.012), as well as Day-3 (p = 0.047) and Day-28 (p = 0.022) Cystatin C and Creatinine values. CONCLUSION: Neonatal Cystatin C values were not affected by MoCystatin C and became stable from the 3rd day of life.

Influência do crescimento intrauterino restrito sobre a evolução nutricional e crescimento de recém-nascidos pré-termo até a alta hospitalar / Intrauterine growth restriction influence on the nutritional evolution and growth of preterm newborns from birth until discharge

OBJETIVO: Analisar o crescimento de recém-nascidos pré-termo (RNPT) com crescimento intrauterino restrito (CIUR) do nascimento até a alta hospitalar. MÉTODOS: Coorte de RNPT provenientes de gestação única, com idade gestacional (IG) de 30 a 34 semanas, Apgar de cinco minutos >6, sem risco infeccioso perinatal e sem malformações. Grupos de estudo: I: CIUR (índice de Kramer=peso ao nascer/peso P50<0,85); II: sem CIUR. Analisaram-se: peso (P), comprimento (C), perímetro cefálico (PC) e índice de massa corpórea (IMC) ao nascimento e à alta ou com 40 semanas de IG corrigida. Análise estatística: comparação de médias (teste t de Student e t pareado), teste do qui-quadrado, correlação de Pearson e regressão linear, sendo significante p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Ao nascimento, houve diferença (p<0,0001) da antropometria entre os 24 RNPT do Grupo I (P=1192g, E=37,7cm, PC=26,9cm) e os 27 do Grupo II (P=2081g, E=43,2cm, PC=30,9cm). À alta, o peso no Grupo II era mais elevado (p=0,03), enquanto C, PC e IMC não diferiram. Do nascimento à alta, P, C e PC aumentaram nos dois grupos. O IMC aumentou de forma significante entre o nascimento e o termo apenas no Grupo I (p<0,0001). Obteve-se correlação inversa entre IMC ao nascimento e diferença do IMC (alta-nascimento): r=-0,79 (p<0,0001) no grupo com CIUR. CONCLUSÕES: CIUR ao nascimento associou-se à elevação do IMC até a alta, que se correlacionou inversamente com o IMC ao nascer, o que sugere um risco maior de obesidade futura nos RNPT com maiores déficits de peso em relação ao comprimento ao nascimento, se essa tendência se mantiver.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the growth of intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) preterm newborns infants (PTNB) from birth until hospital discharge. METHODS: Cohort study of PTNB from single gestations with gestational age of 30 to 34 weeks, Apgar score at five minutes >6, without perinatal infectious risk and/or malformations. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I: PTNB with IUGR (Kramer index: birth weight/weight at 50th percentile <0,85); Group II: PTNB without IUGR. Weight (W), length (L), head circumference (HC) and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated at birth and at 40 weeks corrected GA or discharge. Statistical analysis included Student t test paired t test, chi-square test, Pearson's correlation and linear regression, being significant p<0.05. RESULTS: At birth, anthropometric significant differences (p<0.0001) were seen between the 24 Group I PTNB (W=1192g, L=37.7cm, HC=26.9cm) and the 27 Group II infants (W=2081g, L=43.2cm, HC=30.9cm). At discharge, Group II PTNB were heavier (p=0.03), but L, HC and BMI were similar between groups. From birth until discharge, the W, L and HC increased in both groups. BMI increased from birth to discharge only in Group I (p<0.0001), with a negative correlation between BMI at birth and the BMI difference between birth and discharge (r=-0.79; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: IUGR at birth was associated to significant BMI increase until discharge, which was inversely correlated to birth BMI, suggesting a higher risk of future obesity in these infants if this trend persists throughout infancy and childhood.