Dysmaturity.

Small preterm infants experience a unique postnatal period characterized by slow growth, inadequate nutrition and growth inhibiting treatments. Many have already been growth-restricted in utero. Studying this period is important when developing growth optimizing strategies for these infants and, in a broader context, as a model of extreme conditions that restrict growth. By following short-term growth of 48 very-low-birth-weight (VLBW; birth weight <1,500 g) infants for 9 postnatal weeks, we found that circulating insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 levels are low and reflect rigorously measured (knemometry and weight) concurrent growth velocity. Moreover, weight growth velocity is correlated with the ratio of lesser to highly phosphorylated IGFBP-1 but not with absolute IGFBP-1 concentrations. Thus, IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and the phosphorylation status of IGFBP-1 in circulation are likely to be involved in growth regulation during the postnatal period in VLBW infants.

Fetal Growth Retardation↗

PubMed2002

Multiple congenital symmetric skin dimples.

Skin dimples are seldom observed in sites other than the face. We report on a male premature child who was seen at the age of 2 months for the evaluation of cutaneous depressions symmetrically located on the shoulders, elbows and in the sacral region. Skin dimples have sometimes been considered a benign autosomal dominant trait. However, several authors have reported these cutaneous defects in a variety of conditions like congenital syndromes, infections, inborn errors of metabolism and mechanical trauma. In our case, the aetiology is unknown, even though maternal drug or infective exposure can reasonably be excluded as well as traumatic events. At a 3-year follow-up, the patient shows a normal psychophysical development. This appears to be the first case of a child presenting congenital, symmetric dimples in three different areas.

Fetal Growth Retardation↗