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Background: Gestational age significantly influences children's growth and development. Yet, the effect of postterm birth (gestation beyond 42 weeks) on children's growth outcomes remains underexplored., Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of postterm birth on adverse growth outcomes in children using a nationally representative sample from China., Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in China from 1 April 2018, to 31 December 2019. The final analysis included 141,002 children aged 3-6 years from 551 cities. Postterm birth was defined as children with postterm birth at a gestational age of 42 weeks or more. Obesity, overweight and thinness were assessed using body mass index-for-age (BMI-for-age) z-scores, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards. Generalised additive models were employed to investigate the non-linear relationship between maternal gestational age and BMI-for-age z scores. Poisson regression models and subgroup analyses with forest plots were performed to examine the associations between postterm birth and the risks of obesity, overweight and thinness in children., Results: We included 141,002 mother-child pairs, of whom 7314 (5.2%) children were classified as postterm births. There exists a non-linear relationship between gestational age and BMI-for-age z scores. Children born postterm exhibited a 46% increased risk of obesity, a 27% increased risk of combined overweight/obesity and a 13% increased risk of thinness. Similar associations were observed in most cases when further sensitivity and subgroup analysis were conducted., Conclusions: Postterm birth was associated with elevated risks of obesity, overweight and thinness in children aged 3-6 years, independent of sex. These findings underscore the importance of further research across diverse populations to understand the implications of postterm births on child health outcomes., (© 2024 The Author(s). Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Senile epilepsy and its comorbidities pose a tremendous burden on patients and the society. This study was aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and comorbidities of senile epilepsy, as well as the impact of comorbidities on the prognosis of senile epilepsy. Methods: Information of patients with senile epilepsy was retrospectively collected from three tertiary hospitals in Southwest China between December 2014 and December 2022. A total of 154 patients met the inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of comorbidities. The prevalence, type, characteristics, and impacts of the comorbidities were investigated. The characteristics of patients with and without comorbidities were also compared. Results: Eighty-one percent of patients with senile epilepsy had at least one comorbidity, and 36% had three or more comorbidities. Eighteen different types of comorbidities were identified. The most common comorbidities were neurological (61%), followed by cardiovascular (45%) and psychiatric (26%) comorbidities. More than one-third of patients had bidirectional comorbidities, whereas more than half of the patients had additional causal comorbidities. Among all types of comorbidities, neurological and psychiatric comorbidities were found to be associated with an increased risk of recurrent seizures. Compared to patients without bidirectional comorbidities, those with at least one bidirectional comorbidity had a lower rate of achieving seizure freedom. The higher the number of bidirectional comorbidities, the lower the seizure-free rate. Survival analysis revealed that patients with neurological comorbidities had a higher risk of death. Conclusions: This study revealed a high comorbidity rate and a low seizure-freedom rate among patients with senile epilepsy. In particular, neuropsychiatric comorbidities can increase the risk of seizures and affect the survival rate of patients with senile epilepsy. Therefore, preventing and managing these comorbidities may improve seizure outcomes and reduce mortality in this special population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a multifactorial gastrointestinal disease with high morbidity and mortality among premature infants. However, studies with large samples on the factors of NEC in China have not been reported. This meta-analysis aims to systematically review the literature to explore the influencing factors of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants in China and provide a reference for the prevention of NEC. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Wanfang and VIP databases were systematically searched from inception to February 2023. We used Stata14.0 software to perform the systematic review and meta-analysis. We used fixed or random effects models with combined odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and quality was evaluated using the Newcastle‒Ottawa Scale (NOS). Results: The total sample was 8616 cases, including 2456 cases in the intervention group and 6160 cases in the control group. It was found that 16 risk factors and 3 protective factors were related to necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. Septicemia (OR = 3.91), blood transfusion (OR = 2.41), neonatal asphyxia (OR = 2.46), pneumonia (OR = 6.17), infection (OR = 5.99), congenital heart disease (OR = 4.80), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) (OR = 2.71), mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.44), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (OR = 3.08), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (OR = 3.28), hypoalbuminemia (OR = 2.80), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (OR = 3.10), respiratory failure (OR = 7.51), severe anemia (OR = 2.86), history of antibiotic use (OR = 2.12), and meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) (OR = 3.14) were risk factors for NEC in preterm infants in China. Breastfeeding (OR = 0.31), oral probiotics (OR = 0.36), and prenatal use of glucocorticoids (OR = 0.38) were protective factors for NEC in preterm infants. Conclusions: Septicemia, blood transfusion, neonatal asphyxia, pneumonia, infection, congenital heart disease, ICP, GDM, RDS, hypoproteinemia, PDA, respiratory failure, severe anemia, history of antibiotic use and MSAF will increase the risk of NEC in premature infants, whereas breastfeeding, oral probiotics and prenatal use of glucocorticoids reduce the risk. Due to the quantity and quality of the included literature, the above findings need to be further validated by more high-quality studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human milk fortifier (HMF) composition has been optimized recently. But clinical evidence of its safety and efficacy is limited in Chinese population. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of a new HMF in growth, nutritional status, feeding intolerance, and major morbidities among very preterm (VPT) or very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in China. Methods: VPT/VLBW infants admitted from March 2020 to April 2021 were prospectively included in the experimental (new HMF, nHMF) group, who received a new powdered HMF as a breast milk feeding supplement during hospitalization. Infants in the control group (cHMF) admitted from January 2018 to December 2019, were retrospective included, and matched with nHMF group infants for gestational age and birth weight. They received other kinds of commercially available HMFs. Weight gain velocity, concentrations of nutritional biomarkers, incidence of major morbidities, and measures of feeding intolerance were compared between the two groups. Results: Demographic and clinical characteristics of infants in nHMF and cHMF groups were comparable. Weight gain velocity had no significant difference between the nHMF (14.0 ± 3.5 g/kg/d) and the cHMF group (14.2 ± 3.8 g/kg/d; P = 0.46). Incidence of morbidities, including necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, culture-confirmed sepsis, and feeding intolerance during hospitalization between nHMF and cHMF, were similar (all P-values > 0.05). The time to achieve full enteral feeding [13.5 (10, 21) days] in the nHMF group was significantly shorter than that in the cHMF group [17 (12, 23) days, HR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.49, 0.92; P = 0.01]. Compared with cHMF group, the decrease of blood urea nitrogen level over time in nHMF group was smaller (β = 0.6, 95%CI:0.1, 1.0; P = 0.01). Conclusions: The new HMF can promote growth of preterm infants effectively without increasing the incidence of major morbidity and feeding intolerance. It can be used feasible in Chinese VPT/VLBW infants. Trial registration: This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04283799). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to assess the predictive performance of published valproic acid (VPA) population pharmacokinetic (PPK) models using an external data set in Chinese adults with epilepsy or after neurosurgery., Methods: A total of 384 concentrations from 290 Chinese adults with epilepsy or after neurosurgery were used for external validation. Data on published VPA PPK models were extracted from the literature. Prediction-based diagnostics (such as F20 and F30), simulation-based diagnostics, and Bayesian forecasting were used to evaluate the predictability of models., Results: The results of prediction-based diagnostics of all models were unsatisfactory. Models B, F, and H showed the best prediction performance in simulation-based diagnostics and Bayesian forecasting, demonstrating superior precision and accuracy. Bayesian forecasting demonstrated significant improvements in the model predictability., Conclusion: The published PPK models showed extensive variation in predictive performance for extrapolation among Chinese adults with epilepsy or after neurosurgery patients. Fixed parameters of Vd and Ka in the PPK modeling of VPA might be the reason for the unsatisfied predictive performance. Bayesian forecasting significantly improved model predictability and may help to individualize VPA dosing., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Genetic polymorphisms in ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1, also known as MDR1) have been reported to be possibly associated with the regulation of response to antiseizure medications. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of ABCB1 polymorphisms with the efficacy of and adverse drug reactions to valproic acid among Chinese children with epilepsy. A total of 170 children from southern China with epilepsy treated with valproic acid for more than one year were recruited, including 61 patients with persistent seizures and 109 patients who were seizure-free. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms of ABCB1, rs1128503 and rs3789243, were genotyped using the Sequenom MassArray system. The two single nucleotide polymorphisms of ABCB1 were found to be significantly associated with treatment outcomes of valproic acid in children with epilepsy. Carriers with the TT genotype of ABCB1 rs1128503 were more inclined to exhibit persistent seizures after treatment with valproic acid (p = 0.013). The CC genotype of rs3789243 was observed to be a potential protective factor for valproic acid-induced gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions (p = 0.018), but possibly increased the risk of valproic acid-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions (p = 0.011). In contrast, the CT genotype of rs3789243 was associated with a lower risk of valproic acid-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions (p = 0.011). Haplotype analysis showed that CC haplotype carriers tended to respond better to valproic acid treatment (p = 0.009). Additionally, no significant association was found between ABCB1 polymorphisms and serum concentrations of valproic acid. This study revealed that the polymorphisms and haplotypes of the ABCB1 gene might be associated with the treatment outcomes of valproic acid in Chinese children with epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epilepsy comorbidities adversely affect the quality of life of patients. Women with epilepsy are at a high risk of comorbid endocrine disorders. Among them, the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has a threefold higher prevalence in women with epilepsy than in healthy women and is the main cause of infertility among the patients. Clinically, women with epilepsy show heterogeneity in the susceptibility to PCOS. This heterogeneity may be associated with genetic factor. Methods: To test this, we retrospectively collected clinical data from 45 female patients with epilepsy and divided them into three groups according to their susceptibility to PCOS. Groups A and B represented a high susceptibility to PCOS. Patients in Group A were diagnosed with PCOS before their first seizure, while patients in Group B were diagnosed with PCOS after a short period of monotherapy with a low dose of antiseizure medication (ASM) following the diagnosis of epilepsy. Patients in Group C did not develop PCOS despite a prolonged treatment with high-dose ASM. We compared the clinical data and genetic profiles among the three groups. Results: We found a clear trend of impaired metabolism in Group B patients and this may be associated with high-frequency mutations in MYO10 and ADGRL3. Conclusions: Our study suggests that women with epilepsy are heterogeneous in the susceptibility to PCOS and this is associated with mutations in specific genes. Therefore, genetic screening should be conducted to screen for women with epilepsy who are more likely to have comorbid PCOS, so that they can receive targeted interventions at an early stage to reduce the risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilepsy, one of the most common neurological diseases in China, is notorious for its spontaneous, unprovoked and recurrent seizures. The etiology of epilepsy varies among individual patients, including congenital gene mutation, traumatic injury, infections, etc. This heterogeneity partly hampered the accurate diagnosis and choice of appropriate treatments. Encouragingly, great achievements have been achieved in computational science, making it become a key player in medical fields gradually and bringing new hope for rapid and accurate diagnosis as well as targeted therapies in epilepsy. Here, we historically review the advances of computerized applications in epilepsy—especially those tremendous findings achieved in China—for different purposes including seizure prediction, localization of epileptogenic zone, post‐surgical prognosis, etc. Special attentions are paid to the great progress based on artificial intelligence (AI), which is more "sensitive", "smart" and "in‐depth" than human capacities. At last, we give a comprehensive discussion about the disadvantages and limitations of current computerized applications for epilepsy and propose some future directions as further stepping stones to embrace "the era of AI" in epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The features of cerebral metabolism associated with loss of consciousness in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) have not been fully elucidated. We aim to investigate the alterations in cortical-subcortical metabolism in temporal lobe epilepsy with impaired awareness seizures (IAS). Methods: Regional cerebral metabolism was measured using fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) in patients with TLE-IAS and healthy controls. All patients had a comprehensive evaluation to confirm their seizure origin and lateralization. Videos of all seizures were viewed and rated by at least two epileptologists to identify the state of consciousness when a seizure occurred. By synthesizing the seizure history, semeiology, and video EEG of all patients, as long as the patients had one seizure with impaired awareness, she/he will be included. 76 patients with TLE-IAS and 60 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Regional cerebral metabolic patterns were analyzed for TLE-IAS and healthy control groups using statistical parametric mapping. Besides, we compared the MRI-negative patients and MRI-positive patients with healthy controls, respectively. Results: There were no significant differences in the age and sex of TLE-IAS patients and healthy control. TLE-IAS patients showed extensive bilateral hypermetabolism in the frontoparietal regions, cingulate gyrus, corpus callosum, occipital lobes, basal ganglia, thalamus, brainstem, and cerebellum. The region of metabolic change was more extensive in right TLE-IAS than that of the left, including extensive hypometabolism in the ipsilateral temporal, frontal, parietal, and insular lobes. And contralateral temporal lobe, bilateral frontoparietal regions, occipital lobes, the anterior and posterior regions of the cingulate gyrus, bilateral thalamus, bilateral basal ganglia, brainstem, and bilateral cerebellum showed hypermetabolism. The TLE patients with impaired awareness seizure showed hypermetabolism in the cortical-subcortical network including the arousal system. Additionally, 48 MRI-positive and 28 MRI-negative TLE-IAS patients were included in our study. TLE-IAS patients with MRI-negative and MRI-positive were both showed hypermetabolism in the cingulate gyrus. Hypometabolism in the bilateral temporal lobe was showed in the TLE-IAS with MRI-positive. Conclusion: These findings suggested that the repetitive consciousness impairing ictal events may have an accumulative effect on brain metabolism, resulting in abnormal interictal cortical-subcortical metabolic disturbance in TLE patients with impaired awareness seizure. Understanding these metabolic mechanisms may guide future clinical treatments to prevent seizure-related awareness deficits and improve quality of life in people with TLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mothers of preterm infants face many challenges in breastfeeding, especially regarding lactation. This study aimed to investigate the lactation status and challenges in breastfeeding faced by preterm infants' mothers. Methods: We approached 124 mothers who gave birth to preterm infants between 26 May and 31 October 2018 in a tertiary hospital in China. Lactation status and challenges in breastfeeding on day 7 postpartum, at discharge of infants, 2 weeks post-discharge, and 3 months of corrected age were collected using questionnaires. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for expressed milk volume on day 7 postpartum for predicting expressed milk volume ≥ 300 mL/d at discharge was calculated. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with delayed lactogenesis II onset and continuation of breastfeeding at 3 months of corrected age. Results: Seventy mothers were enrolled, and 51.4% had delayed lactogenesis II. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older maternal age (aOR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.40) and first live birth (aOR = 4.81; 95% CI 1.43, 16.18) were significant independent predictors of delayed lactogenesis II. Mothers with delayed lactogenesis II had significantly lower expressed milk volume (day 7 postpartum: 160.0 mL vs. 300.0 mL, U = 328.50, p = 0.001; at discharge: 425.0 mL vs. 612.5 mL, U = 372.00, p = 0.005), with a lower proportion of exclusive breastfeeding in their infants (at discharge: 33.3% vs. 69.8%, χ2 = 12.39, df = 1, p < 0.001; 3 months of corrected age: 17.8% vs. 52.8%, χ2 = 11.03, df = 1, p = 0.001). The ROC showed that expressed milk volume > 190 mL/d on day 7 postpartum significantly predicted expressed milk volume ≥ 300 mL/d at discharge. Insufficient human milk was the main reason for breastfeeding discontinuation at 3 months of corrected age. Twins were less likely to continue breastfeeding at 3 months of corrected age (aOR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.09, 0.86). In singleton infants, mother's own milk ≥50% of total milk uptake at 2 weeks post-discharge (aOR = 32.66; 95% CI 3.00, 355.25) was an independent predictor of continuous breastfeeding at 3 months of corrected age. Feeding complications in infants, poor breastfeeding technique, and low milk output are the main challenges in breastfeeding. Conclusion: Interventions to improve early postpartum lactation and breastfeeding techniques may increase breastfeeding adoption in mothers of preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The reasonable use of amino acids (AAs) in parenteral nutrition (PN) is very critical to the growth and development of premature infants. However, the appropriate dose of AAs has not been determined. Our study was designed to investigate the clinical effect of two different doses of AAs in PN for low birth weight premature infants. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled study included 191 preterm infants who admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2015 to December 2016 and they were randomly divided into Group 1 (n = 81) and Group 2 (n = 110). In Group 1, the starting dose of AAs dose was 1.0-1.5 g/kg/day, which was increased by 0.5 g/kg with the maximum dose at 3.5 g/kg/day. In Group 2, the starting dose of AAs was 1.8-2.5 g/kg/day and was increased by 1.0 g/kg with the maximum dose at 4.0-4.5 g/kg/day. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, body weight, body length, total calorie intake, nonprotein calorie intake, total protein intake, liver and kidney function, and complications of the two groups of preterm infants. Results: The start of enteral feeding and the recovery of birth weight in Group 2 were earlier than those in Group 1 (3.83 ± 3.15 day vs. 5.53 ± 5.63 day, P = 0.016 and 6.36 ± 4.88 day vs. 8.48 ± 9.27 day, P = 0.043, respectively). The duration of PN and the time before total enteral nutrition were shorter in Group 2 than in Group 1 (16.46 ± 10.33 day vs. 21.41 ± 18.00 day, P = 0.029 and 15.47 ± 10.54 day vs. 19.47 ± 14.57 day, P = 0.038; respectively). The duration of mechanical ventilation (1.12 ± 2.62 day vs. 3.31 ± 8.13 day, P = 0.028) in Group 2 was shorter than that in Group 1. Conclusion: High doses of AAs in the early PN for preterm infants facilitate the promotion of early growth and development, advance recovery of birth weight, reduce the duration of PN, and reduce respiratory support without increasing the incidence of complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Immigrants from Western industrialized countries are rarely found in immigrant studies. Our primary objective was to calculate the rate of cesarean delivery, 5-min Apgar score <7, and preterm birth among Chinese and Western women. Our secondary objective was to examine whether there are significant differences in terms of risk factors between Western immigrants who chose to deliver in their country of citizenship compared to those who chose to deliver in China. Methods Single-center retrospective cohort study in Shanghai, China. Multivariate logistic regression models used delivery outcome, and place of delivery (China vs. country of citizenship) as outcome variables. Results Preterm birth occurred at a rate of 3.82% among Chinese citizens, 4.12% among Chinese-born Western citizens, and 6.54% among non-Chinese-born Western citizens. After adjustment, preterm birth <37 weeks was more frequent among non-Chinese-born Western citizens compared with Chinese citizens, with an odds ratio of 1.82 (Confidence Interval 1.20-2.78), p = 0.005. Variables statistically associated with giving birth in China were maternal age ≥35 years and being Chinese-born Western, as well as the absence of medical or obstetrical conditions. Discussion Western immigrants have overall good obstetrical outcomes in China, and this could be partly explained by selective immigration, but also by the Salmon bias, as women with risk factors tend to return to their country of citizenship for the delivery. However, the preterm birth rate was higher among Western women than in their Chinese counterparts, and further research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:With China's rapid economic growth in the past 3 decades, an increase in rate of macrosomia has been reported in China. Fetal growth is a result of multiple factors including genetic potential for growth, maternal nutrition, maternal metabolism, endocrine factors and placental perfusion and function. However, the detailed mechanism of how macrosomia happened remains poorly known. Recent studies showed that the expression of a number of microRNAs (miRNAs) in placentas is involved in fetal growth. We hypothesized that aberrant expression of microRNA-21 (miR-21) and microRNA-16 (miR-16) in placenta is associated with macrosomia.Study design:Using quantitative real time PCR, we analyzed the expression level of miR-21 and miR-16 in terminal placentas of macrosomia pregnancies (n=35) and normal controls (n=35). Potential target genes of miRNA were predicted using TargetScan, miRanda and PicTar. Target genes were mapped to KEGG pathways using KEGG Mapper with an in-house Perl script with KEGG Gene IDs.Result:MiR-21 showed significant up-regulation in macrosomia (P=0.037). After controlling the potential confounders, multivariable logistic regression analysis suggested the risk of macrosomia increased, multivariable adjusted ORs of macrosomia for those in the highest tertile was 3.931 (95%CI: 1.049-14.736) compared with those in the lowest tertile in terms of miR-21 level. The target genes of miR-21 were involved in eight possible signaling pathways. They were pathways in P53 signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, TGF-beta signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway (P<0.001), Wnt signaling pathway, Jak-STAT signaling pathway and mTOR signaling pathway (P<0.05).Conclusion:Our study is the first to investigate the association between placental miRNA expression and macrosomia. Our results indicate that the expression level of miR-21 in placental tissue may be involved in the development of macrosomia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common critical disease in term neonates, but reasons for the occurrence of RDS remains unclear. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the cause of RDS in full-term neonates by a retrospective case-control study. Study Design: Case-control study. Methods: Among the patients admitted to Bayi Children's Hospital between January 2008 and December 2010, a total of 205 full-term neonates with RDS were assigned to the study group, and 410 full-term neonates without RDS were assigned to the control group. Clinical information, including the presence or absence of premature rupture of membranes (PROM), gender of the neonates, mode of delivery, birth weight, and any conditions suffered by the neonates were recorded. Results: The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the following causes were closely correlated with term neonatal RDS: selective cesarean section (OR: 8.737; 95% CI: 5.232-14.588), severe birth asphyxia (OR: 6.988; 95% CI: 2.990-16.333), small gestational age (OR: 6.222; 95% CI: 2.001-8.993), maternal-fetal infection (OR: 5.337; 95% Cl: 1.999-8.233), PROM (OR: 3.380; 95% CI: 1.986- 5.754), male sex (OR: 2.641; 95% CI: 1.721-4.053), gestational glucose intolerance or diabetes (OR: 2.415; 95% CI:1.721-4.053), and low birth weight (OR: 2.323; 95% CI: 1.329-4.060). Conclusion: Several high-risk factors, such as selective cesarean section, severe birth asphyxia, maternal-fetal infection, PROM, and male sex are closely correlated with full-term neonatal RDS. These could provide a significant reference for the diagnosis and treatment of term neonatal RDS.

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the growth status and to identify the risk factors that influence the catch-up growth of preterm infants after discharge and to provide evidence for feeding strategies and the need for further research. Methods: A descriptive correlational analysis was applied. The sample consisted of 309 preterm infants and their caregivers selected from June to August 2017 from five women's and children's hospitals. Self-designed questionnaires based on knowledge, attitude and practice and the Health Belief Model (HBM) were used to measure the catch-up growth status of preterm infants after discharge. Logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors for the catch-up growth of preterm infants. Results: The results showed that of 309 preterm infants, only 14 (4.5%) were underweight, and 52 (17.4%) did not meet the criteria for catch-up growth at 12 months of actual age. The logistic regression analysis showed that gestational age, regular health care, caregivers' educational background, mothers' daily contact with the baby, monthly average family income, the addition of a breast milk supplement, and daily milk volume were risk factors that affected the catch-up growth of preterm infants after discharge. Conclusions: The rate of catch-up growth of preterm infants is still not high. We should pay much more attention to preterm infants of small gestational age and guide their child care on a regular basis to detect and correct risk factors in a timely fashion, especially those involving lower daily milk volume, lower degree of culture and family economic difficulties. Second, we suggest that the government publish relevant policy that appropriately increases the length of maternity leave for preterm mothers. Future studies should have larger sample sizes and explore other important factors influencing the catch-up growth of preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]