Comparison of Fenton and Intergrowth-21st growth charts: a retrospective study of preterm neonates at ≤34 weeks

Objective: To compare Fenton and Intergrowth-21st growth charts in assessing the growth pattern of preterm infants at birth and at discharge. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted over a period of 1 year. The study included the neonates born at ≤34 weeks of gestation who are admitted and stayed for ≥14 days in our hospital. The data was collected from discharge sheets and electronic database. The weight of all babies at birth and at discharge was collected. Growth was assessed based on Fenton and Intergrowth-21st growth charts. The small for gestational age (SGA) was defined as birth weight ≤-1.28SD. The extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) status of babies was assessed by a criteria of ≤-1.28SD at discharge. Results: Most common preterm phenotype was spontaneous preterm labor (47.4%), and the rate of singleton birth was 78.9%. The mean gestational age and birth weight of babies were 31.6±1.42 weeks and 1608.06±275 g, respectively. We found the rates of SGA in our group 15.2% and 13.5%, and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) 80.5% and 82.2%, respectively by using Intergrowth and Fenton growth charts. The EUGR rates in our group were 72.8% and 81.3%, respectively, on Intergrowth-21st and Fenton growth charts using a criteria of ≤-1.28SD at discharge. Conclusion: There is no statistical difference between Fenton and Intergrowth-21st charts in identifying SGA and EUGR. However, the rate of EUGR is higher in Fenton charts than intergrowth-21st charts.