Post-discharge growth of very low birth weight preterm infants: implications for outpatient follow-up in maternal and child public health in brazil
1
Programa de pós graduação saúde coletiva, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2286
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Improved survival of very low birth weight preterm infants resulting from advances in neonatal care poses important challenges for health systems, particularly regarding growth and development after hospital discharge. Longitudinal follow-up of these infants is a key public health strategy for growth surveillance, prevention of nutritional disorders, and reduction of adverse outcomes. In Brazil, maternal and child health care within the Unified Health System is organized through the Alyne Network, which structures a maternal and child care pathway from prenatal care onward, emphasizing continuity of care and outpatient follow-up for high-risk newborns.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive study analyzed medical records of preterm infants with birth weight below 1500 grams followed in an outpatient clinic at a public university hospital in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, between October 2020 and September 2021. Infants with at least three outpatient visits up to 12 months of corrected gestational age were included. Perinatal data and anthropometric evolution were assessed using weight, length, and head circumference z scores.
RESULTS:
A total of 54 preterm infants were evaluated, with a mean gestational age of 29 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1145.7 grams. A decline in anthropometric z scores was observed at hospital discharge, followed by progressive recovery during outpatient follow-up. Between 7 and 12 months of corrected gestational age, most infants achieved weight, length, and head circumference values, with mean z scores similar to those observed at birth. This pattern is consistent with growth trajectories described in the literature for preterm infants and indicates satisfactory recovery associated with systematic follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS:
Outpatient follow-up of very low birth weight preterm infants represents a central maternal and child public health strategy in Brazil. The Alyne Network supports growth surveillance, reduces health inequities, and strengthens comprehensive child health care within the Unified Health System.
Improved survival of very low birth weight preterm infants resulting from advances in neonatal care poses important challenges for health systems, particularly regarding growth and development after hospital discharge. Longitudinal follow-up of these infants is a key public health strategy for growth surveillance, prevention of nutritional disorders, and reduction of adverse outcomes. In Brazil, maternal and child health care within the Unified Health System is organized through the Alyne Network, which structures a maternal and child care pathway from prenatal care onward, emphasizing continuity of care and outpatient follow-up for high-risk newborns.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive study analyzed medical records of preterm infants with birth weight below 1500 grams followed in an outpatient clinic at a public university hospital in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, between October 2020 and September 2021. Infants with at least three outpatient visits up to 12 months of corrected gestational age were included. Perinatal data and anthropometric evolution were assessed using weight, length, and head circumference z scores.
RESULTS:
A total of 54 preterm infants were evaluated, with a mean gestational age of 29 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1145.7 grams. A decline in anthropometric z scores was observed at hospital discharge, followed by progressive recovery during outpatient follow-up. Between 7 and 12 months of corrected gestational age, most infants achieved weight, length, and head circumference values, with mean z scores similar to those observed at birth. This pattern is consistent with growth trajectories described in the literature for preterm infants and indicates satisfactory recovery associated with systematic follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS:
Outpatient follow-up of very low birth weight preterm infants represents a central maternal and child public health strategy in Brazil. The Alyne Network supports growth surveillance, reduces health inequities, and strengthens comprehensive child health care within the Unified Health System.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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