RESUMO
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. This study aimed to evaluate the evolution of anthropometric parameters and the nutritional status of LBW infants and to analyze factors influencing the growth failure during their first 6 months of life (or adjusted age). METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study for 6 months, including 100 infants born with LBW and 100 infants born at full-term and with normal weight. The z-scores weight for age, height for age, head circumference for age and weight for height were computed with the software Epinut and WHO Anthro 2005. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with growth failure. Growth failure was defined as a decrease in weight z-score (standard deviation score) of over 0.67 during one of the study's periods. The statistical significance threshold was fixed at 0.05. FINDINGS: At 6 months of life (or adjusted age), 15.3% of LBW were underweight, 51.4% were stunted, 4.2% had an emaciation and 25% had a head circumference for age<-2 z-scores. Risk factor for growth failure was male sex (OR=1.56 [95% CI: 1.03-2.23]). The symmetrical intra-uterine growth retardation was a protector factor for growth failure (OR=0.49 [95% CI: 0.25-0.98]). CONCLUSION: In the short term, LBW infants may have growth disorders. It is necessary to emphasize the importance of growth assessment of LBW children and proper education of their mothers about nutrition of their children for early and timely diagnosis and management of growth retardation and prevention of subsequent problems.
