Growth of preterm infants at the time of global obesity

Abstract

Preterm birth, 90% of which occurs between 32 and <37 weeks' gestation,1 2 is a complex heterogeneous syndrome interlinked with the stillbirth and intrauterine growth restriction syndromes. Its phenotypes are associated with different gains in neonatal weight, morbidity and mortality, and perhaps body composition, growth and development. Preterm birth is related to several aetiologies, although nearly 30% of all preterm births are not associated with any maternal/pregnancy conditions or fetal growth restriction.