STUDY ON PHYSICAL GROWTH IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS

Background: The lenghth and weight of a newborn is one of the most important factors associated with a baby’s health and complications at birth, soon after birth, as well as in the longitudinal life, especially, the complications of mental retardation. Low birth weight babies encrease the morbidity and mortality. The first 6 months of life are an important stage in a child’s development, this is the fastest-growing stage and has a long-term impact on adulthood. Objective: Describe the growth in weight, length, and head circumference of low birth weight infants in the first 6 months and explore some factors related to the growth of weight, length, head circumference of low birth weight infants in the first 6 months. Methods: Study performed on 60 low birth weight infants at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. According to the vertical tracking method, the sample size is convenient. Results: The mean age of the study group was 35.43 ± 2.35 weeks. The weight growth rate of both sexes increased gradually until the 3rd month and then gradually decreased. The second growth was the fastest, in boys it was 0.9 ± 0.14 kg/month, in girls it was 0.83 ± 0.19 kg/month. The length growth rate of both sexes increased gradually until the 3rd month and then gradually decreased. The second growth is the highest, in boys it is 3.74 ± 0.8 cm/month, in girls it is 3.74 ± 0.98 cm/ month. Growth rate of head circumference tends to be high. during the first 3 months in both sexes, then gradually decreased. The first growth was the highest at 2.77 ± 0.68 cm/month in boys and 2.86 ± 0.75 cm/month in girls. Conclusion: The growth rates of weight, length and head circumference in the first 6 monthsof low birth weight infants caught up with those who were not underweight. Gestational age, nutrition, respiratory disease and diarrhea affect the growth of low birth weight babies in the first 6 months. Key words: physical growth, low birth weight.