Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the leading causes of perinatal and infant morbidity and mortality, as well as of impaired growth and neurocognitive development.
Aim and objectives: Evaluation of growth parameters (weight, length and head circumference) at birth, 2, 4, and 6 months of LBW infants after discharging from NICU.
Patients and methods: A prospective follow up study was conducted on 100 infants weighing < 2,500 g and admitted to NICU of Abulmatamir Central Hospital in Beheira Governorate in the period from May/2018 to March/2020. All infants were selected by simple random method.
Infant's weigh (g), length (cm), and head circumference (cm) were measured at birth, 2, 4, and 6 months, plotted against WHO growth charts for their catch-up growth follow up. Measurements were calculated using mean and standard deviation. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15 statistical software.
Result: There was highly statistical significant difference regarding weight, length and head circumference at 6th month in the studied infants. No statistical significant difference between males and females regarding weight and length except for weight at 6 months when males appeared to have a better weight. There was statistical significant difference in regard of head circumference between males and females. There was highly statistical significant difference as regard weight, length and head circumference between breastfed and formula fed infants.
Conclusion: Low birth weight infants showed catch-up growth during the first 6th months, but their weight, length and HC remained less than reference population. Breastfed infants show better catch-up growth than formula fed infants. Both males and females had the same catch up growth for weight and length except for weight at 6 months when females appeared lighter. Girls appeared to have a smaller head circumference than boys.