ABSTRACT
Well-constructed growth references are available to assess the growth of preterm infants (Chapter 1). They clearly show that the growth of preterm infants is much slower than the in utero reference, both in the short-term (Chapter 2) and in the long term (Chapter 3). This should not be a surprise. The growth rate of the fetus during the last trimester is more rapid than at any other time in life, and at its peak (in g/d) is almost three times that seen during the adolescent growth spurt (Figure I.1). When fractional growth rates (g/kg/d) are considered, this is even more striking. For much of the third trimester, the fetus gains 15 to 20 g/kg every day. This rate decreases rapidly, and after 2 years of age growth rates are below 1 g/kg/d (Figure I.2).
