Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Medical Education, Medical Education Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
2 Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery
Abstract
Introduction: Growth and development monitoring could lead to general judgment about
children’s health. With advances in NICUs establishment, the survival rate of very low birth
weight (VLBW) neonates has increased in many countries including Iran. Because of the lack of
studies about growth and development pattern of low birth weight (LBW) and VLBW neonates
in Iran, the present study aimed to compare growth and development of normal, low and very
low birth weight neonates at 18 months of age. Materials and Methods: In a cross‑ sectional
descriptive study, 214 children with age 18 months were enrolled (90 LBW, 90 LBW and
34 VLBW) and their growth and development were assessed. Data gathering tool was a
researcher made questionnaire including anthropometrics measures and developmental key
points. Data analyzed by descriptive (mean and SD) and inferential (ANOVA) tests using SPSS
version 15. Results: There were significant differences in the mean of anthropometric indexes
between three groups. Majority of subjects in three groups had normal weight growth trend.
Mean scores of gross motor and fine motor development indexes had significant association with
birth weight. Meanwhile, there was no significant association between mean scores of social/
cognitive and also language developmental aspects and birth weight. Conclusion: Findings
revealed that in LBW and VLBW children, growth indexes at the age of 18 months are so far
from those of NBW neonates. Further nationwide prospective studies, with a longer period of
time is needed to estimate when Iranian LBW children reach at the levels of NBW ones.
Keywords
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