Predictors of Postnatal Growth Failure in Preterm Infants

Postnatal growth failure is a common complication among preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units. This prospective cohort study will include preterm infants (gestational age less than 37 weeks) admitted to the NICU within the first 24 hours of life and hospitalized for at least 14 days.

Clinical data, nutritional practices, and serial anthropometric measurements will be collected from admission until hospital discharge. Postnatal growth failure will be defined as a discharge weight below the 10th percentile for postmenstrual age according to the Fenton Growth Chart and/or a decline in weight Z-score of more than 1.0 standard deviation between birth and discharge. The study will identify independent clinical and nutritional predictors of postnatal growth failure.

Inclusion criteria

• - Gestational age less than 37 completed weeks
• Admission to the NICU within the first 24 hours after birth
• Hospitalization for at least 14 days
• Availability of complete clinical, nutritional, and anthropometric data
• Written informed consent from parents or legal guardians

Exclusion criteria

• - Major congenital malformations
• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Major congenital gastrointestinal anomalies interfering with feeding
• Major congenital heart diseases requiring early surgical intervention
• Inborn errors of metabolism
• Congenital TORCH infections