Anthropometric indices at age 17 years of full-term neonates born short

Background: Measurements at the end of puberty of neonates short for gestational age (SGA-L) are scant. Objective: To determine the correlation between birth length and weight in neonates, with height and weight at age 17 years. Subjects and Methods: 385 full-term neonates, measuring less than 48 cm (SGA-L) and 585 full-term neonates, measuring 48 cm or greater (adequate birth length for gestational age; AGA-L) were included. 234 SGA-L and 359 AGA-L were identified at age 17 years. Results: Comparison of the two groups revealed that both sexes born SGA-L were also shorter at age 17 years than those born AGA-L (girls 158.9 cm (SD 7.6) vs 164.2 cm (SD 64) (p<0.001) and boys 167.3 cm (SD 8.7) vs 173.8 cm (SD 7.1) (p<0.001)). The subjects born SGA-L also weighed significantly less than those born AGA-L (p<0.001) both at birth and at age 17 years. Conclusions: Children born SGA-L become short adults and weigh less at age 17 years than children with a normal birth length.