Velocidade de crescimento em recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso, estatura e adiposidade na idade escolar-estudo de coorte.

Abstract

Objectives: To verify height and abdominal fat distribution among schoolchildren with very low birth weight and with and without catch-up growth. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out with 37 children at school age with very low birth weight. Clinical and anthropometic data were collected from medical records of the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP), where these children were born. Catch-up growth was defined as height velocity (> 2 Z scores) above normal limits for age in the first year of life. Abdominal fat distribution, subcutaneous and visceral fat thickness, were determined by ultrasonography. Results: 37 children aged 5 to 10 years were studied; 15 boys and 22 girls. 86.5% of the children were classified as small for gestational age; these children tended to be lower and have less subcutaneous fat. 12 children (32, 4%) had catch-up growth. There were no difference between height and fat distribution among children with and without catch-up. Conclusions: Catch-up growth in very low birth weight children does not seem to change height and fat distribution at school age.