Catch-up growth among low birth weight infants: Estimation of the time of occurrence of compensatory events

The aim of this study was to estimate the time elapsed between the birth and the occurrence of catch-up growth in the first 12 months of life, in groups of infants born with low birth weight (less than or equal to 2500g). Postnatal catch-up growth had occurred in 100 cases (60 boys and 40 girls). There were no statistical differences between the sexes in the frequency of growth compensation and in the time of the occurrence of the event. In the 2 and the 10 month of life the fewest number of compensational events were observed, but there is no particular time which can be identified as having the most rapid velocity. The category of birth body weight, gestational age and occurrence of intrauterine growth retardation had a distinct influence on the time distribution of growth compensation. Preterm delivery compounded the effects on growth of small-for-gestational age births.