Hokkaido birth cohort study in Japan on the growth trajectory of children born with low birth weight until 7 years of age

• Published in: Early human development Vol. 189; p. 105925
• Main Authors: Poudel, Kritika, Kobayashi, Sumitaka, Iwata, Hiroyoshi, Tojo, Maki, Yamaguchi, Takeshi, Yamazaki, Keiko, Tamura, Naomi, Itoh, Mariko, Obara, Taku, Kuriyama, Shinichi, Kishi, Reiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01.02.2024
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Birth cohort; Catch-up growth; Hokkaido; Low birth weight; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Birth cohort; Hokkaido; Catch-up growth; Low birth weight
• ISSN: 0378-3782; 1872-6232; 1872-6232
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2023.105925

Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant global health concern with potential health risks and developmental implications for infants. Catch-up growth, an accelerated growth following an inhibition period, may partially compensate for growth deficits in LBW children. This study investigated the prevalence of LBW and catch-up growth in height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) among LBW children in Japan, identified factors associated with LBW, and explored the potential for catch-up growth at different ages up to seven years. The Hokkaido birth cohort study included 20,926 pregnant Japanese women recruited during their first trimester from 37 hospitals and clinics. Follow-up assessments were conducted in children up to seven years of age, tracking LBW children's growth and development using the Maternal and Child Health Handbook, and providing valuable insights into catch-up growth patterns. LBW was defined as a neonatal birth weight of <2500 g. The primary outcomes were catch-up growth in height, weight, and BMI at different ages. Z-scores were calculated to assess growth parameters with catch-up growth, defined as a change in z-score (> 0.67) between two time points. A LBW was prevalent in 7.6 % of the cohort, which was lower than that reported in other Japanese studies. Among LBW children, 19.3 % achieved catch-up growth in height by age seven, and 10.6 % in weight. Catch-up growth in LBW children could partially offset these deficits. Further research will help understand the long-term outcomes and inform interventions for healthy development. •Prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) and catch-up growth in children was examined.•Catch-up growth is an accelerated growth period following an inhibition period.•The prevalence of LBW was 7.6 % in all participants.•Results show the importance of timely identification and intervention in LBW children.•Thus, growth and development of children can be optimized.