Correlation between physical growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in full-term small for gestational age infants within the first 2 years of life
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective Small for gestational age (SGA) infants face neurodevelopmental risks, yet early catch-up growth’s link to later outcomes remains unclear. This study explored associations between catch-up growth (weight, length, head circumference) and neurodevelopment in full-term SGA infants during the first 2 years and developed a prediction model.Methods This prospective cohort study enrolled full-term SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants from a single centre, yielding 91 SGA and 115 AGA after exclusion. All were followed to 24 months with regular anthropometry. Catch-up was defined as ΔZ ≥0.67 from birth to each time point. Neurodevelopment was assessed by Gesell Developmental Schedules at 24 months. Multivariate linear regression with false discovery rate (FDR) correction and logistic regression for prediction modelling were performed.Results Catch-up peaked at 8 months (85.71%). After FDR correction, head circumference catch-up showed nominally significant associations with adaptive development at 6 months (β=6.56, p=0.019), 8 months (β=6.89, p=0.013) and 12 months (β=5.63, p=0.045); none survived FDR. Weight and length catch-up showed none. A logistic model with 6-month head circumference catch-up, sex and maternal body mass index showed acceptable calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow p=0.344) and modest discrimination (area under the curve=0.685, 95% CI 0.567 to 0.803).Conclusion Head circumference catch-up showed nominally significant associations with adaptive development—the core Gesell domain—whereas weight/length did not. Achieving head circumference catch-up by 6 months may predict adaptive outcomes at 24 months. Given the exploratory nature, confirmation in independent cohorts is needed before causal inferences can be made.
Source: BMJ Paediatrics Open
Institution: Huzhou Women and Children's Hospital
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7223171235