Comparative study on the growth of children born with low birth weight and those with normal birth weight within 2 years after birth

Abstract

Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW, birth weight <2500 g) is a significant health problem of children. Many studies have made it apparent that there is a direct relationship between low birth weight and infant mortality rate. One of the most important measurements to prevent children morbidity is growth monitoring. The present study was set up to compare the growth of children born with low weight with those with birth weight of 2500 g and more (normal birth weight, NBW) during 2 years after birth.

Methods: This research was a retrospective cohort study. The samples included 218 two year-old children. Selection criteria were birth weight <2500 g in LBW group and 2500-4000 g in NBW group, absence of congenital anomalies and born from singleton pregnancies in both groups. The data were collected through a questionnaire by the researcher. Statistical analysis was carried out by t-test and the chi-square test.

Results: Our findings revealed that the LBW children had a statistically significant lower body weight, shorter stature, smaller head circumference, lower weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height indices in two years after birth compared to the NBW children. Moreover, the weight percentile of LBW children at 2 years of age was less than that in the NBW group.

Conclusion: The data suggested that low birth weight adversely affects children's growth in their early lives. Therefore, LBW infants require special considerations on growth follow up and monitoring after birth.