GROWTH IMPAIRMENT IN BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA (BPD)

Impairment of growth in BPD is well described but the amount by which growth is disturbed and the stage at which impairment occurs is unclear. We have compared lower leg growth, measured by knemometry, and weight gain, in 16 babies who needed home oxygen, 22 babies who needed oxygen for more than 28 days but were discharged in air and 24 babies who needed supplementary oxygen for less than 28 days All groups exhibited an initial weight loss followed by steady weight gain, with no apparent difference in weight gain for the two oxygen dependent groups. Changes in leg length are shown in the figure. Comparison of leg length velocities demonstrated differences in the three groups between 0-13 days (p=0,12); 14-27 days (p=0.0001) and 28-41 davs (p=0.006). A significant impairment of growth in the early postnatal period is seen in those babies who will develop moderate and severe BPD. This may occur despite apparently similar weight gains