Comparative study on the growth of preterm and full-term infants in urban areas of Hubei Province

Objective To analyze and compare the growth and change in terms of body length and weight between preterm and full-term infants in urban areas of Hubei Province, so as to provide evidence for child health care and clinical work. Methods The1∶ 1 matched case-control study strategy was used to recruit 154 paired preterm and full-term infants(male 80 and female 74) who were born in Maternal and Child Health Hospitals of Hubei Province, Jingzhou and Shiyan Cities from January 2019 to June 2020. The body length and weight were measured 6 times during follow-up period. The growth and change rate was compared between preterm and full-term infants. Results The growth rates of length and weight of preterm infants were significantly lower than those of full-term infants from birth to 1 month, and 1 ~ 3 months(P< 0. 05), while the differences were not statistically significant after 3 months of birth(P> 0. 05). Conclusion Length and weight growth model of preterm and full-term infants at local area should be established,and effective intervention measures should be taken at important early life stages to promote the growth and development of preterm infants.