Growth charts from birth for infants born at term and preterm: updated guidelines from the Portuguese Neonatal Society

Abstract

The Portuguese Neonatal Society updates the growth charts recommended for term and preterm infants. The suitability of the growth chart depends on the gestational age, the purpose of the measurement, and the life cycle stage. To classify intrauterine growth at birth, the Fenton 2013 growth charts, which are based on anthropometric records at birth, are the most appropriate for both term and preterm infants. For monitoring postnatal growth in full-term infants, the WHO 2006 Growth Prescriptive Standards are strongly recommended. To specifically monitor weight loss in the initial postnatal days, the NEWT® (http://newbornweight.org) nomogram is recommended. To assess body weight changes in preterm infants while in hospital, an accurate open-access online calculator (www.growthcalculator.org), based on weight trajectories that take into account the initial physiological weight loss, is recommended. The Fenton 2013 growth charts can be employed concurrently to monitor growth in length and head circumference. To assess growth in preterm infants following their discharge from hospital, the Intergrowth-21 prescriptive standards are appropriate for infants born at more than 27 weeks of gestation, up to 64 weeks postmenstrual age. Beyond this age, the prescriptive WHO 2006 growth standards should be employed.

Keywords

• Anthropometry. Growth charts. Guidelines. Preterm infant. Term infant.