First-year growth patterns of preterm infants receiving kangaroo mother care: associations with early life factors and 1-year anthropometry.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study characterises first-year growth patterns in a historical preterm infant cohort, and investigates associated early-life factors and 1-year anthropometry.

Methods

We analysed 322 South African preterm infants' (mean 32.8 ± 2.4 weeks gestation) 1-year clinic records after kangaroo mother care discharge. Latent class trajectory modelling identified patterns of weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ), weight-for-length (WLZ), and head circumference-for-age (HCZ) z-scores (Fenton 2013 Growth Chart; WHO Growth Standards, age-corrected). Z-score patterns were characterised as maintenance, faltering (progressively decreasing), gain (progressively increasing) or catch-up (rapidly increasing, exceeding birth z-score). Ordinal regression analysis investigated as

SUBMITTER: Nel S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12783048 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature