Risk factors for Postnatal Growth Failure in Premature babies less than 32 weeks at Neonatal Care Unit

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Pediatrician Lecturer, Clinical Science Branch, College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Regional of Iraq

2 Assistant Professor in Pediatric and Consultant Neonatologist, Branch Of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine - University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Regional of Iraq. 3. Chief Of Sulaimani Dr. Jamal Ahmed Rashid Pediatric Hospital

10.22038/psj.2026.93373.1516

Abstract

Introduction:
This study aimed to establish the prevalence and the risk factors of PGF in preterm babies under the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Dr. Jamal Ahmed Rashid Pediatric, and Maternity Teaching Hospitals, Sulaimaniyah, Iraq.
Material and Methods:
The cross-sectional prospective design was used. The participants included preterm cases who were born at 32 weeks of gestation or below and were taken to the NICU at birth and up to two months of corrected age. The electronic clinical records were used to extract data, which consisted of maternal demographics, neonatal characteristics, feeding practices, and clinical complications. The anthropometric indices (weight, length, head circumference) were recorded at birth, 36 corrected gestational age (CGA), two months corrected age. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
PGF was found in 70.4% of infants at 36 weeks CGA and continued at 46.3% at two months corrected age. Strong inverse associations between PGF and the birth weight (r = –0.482, P < 0.001) and earlier initiation of enteral feeding (r = –0.394, P = 0.003) and between PGF and the gestational age (r=-0.300, P=-0.028) were observed. Correlations with positive values were observed between PGF and necrotising enterocolitis (NEC; r = 0.305, P ≤ 0.025), total parenteral nutrition (TPN) utilisation (r = 0.327, P ≤ 0.016), prolonged time to full enteral feeding (r = 0.453, P ≤ 0.001 There was a significant nutritional deficiency as human milk fortification (HMF) was missing in all the cases.
Conclusions:
Strong feeding guidelines, regular HMF, and improved post-discharge follow-up may significantly improve the developmental patterns and health outcomes in preterm population.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Patient Safety & Quality Improvement
Volume 14, Issue 2
April 2026
Pages 123-134

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