Anthropometry after prematurity and foetal growth restriction in childhood and adolescence

Abstract

Aim Limited evidence exists on how different degrees of prematurity and foetal growth deviations impact anthropometric outcomes during childhood and adolescence.

Methods The Gutenberg Prematurity Study Young (GPSY) is a retrospective cohort with prospective assessments of 4–17-year-olds born preterm or at term at the University Medical Center Mainz, Germany. Participants were classified by gestational age and birth weight into five categories: severely small for gestational age (SGA; < 3rd percentile), moderately SGA (3rd–< 10th percentile), appropriate for gestational age (AGA; 10th–90th percentile), moderately large for gestational age (LGA; > 90th–97th percentile) and severely LGA (> 97th percentile). Anthropometric parameters were analysed using multivariable regression models.

Results Among 949 participants (median age 12.0 years; 52% female), lower gestational age was associated with reduced height and smaller head circumference across all ages, and lower weight in early childhood and adolescence. SGA birth was consistently linked to shorter height, lower weight, lower BMI in school-aged children, and smaller head circumference, especially at school age and adolescence. LGA birth was associated with increased height at school age and higher weight in early childhood and adolescence.

Conclusion These findings underscore the need for targeted growth monitoring and early interventions to optimise long-term health trajectories.