Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT2032

Background: SGA status is an important indicator of neonatal health, with potential long-term implications for growth and development. The aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence and predictors of Small for Gestational Age (SGA) neonates by weight (SGAW) and length (SGAL) in a cohort of newborns in 2018 and their endocrinological follow-up.

Methods: A total of 1505 newborns were included in this retrospective study, with complete data obtained for 1440 neonates. SGA was determined as weight and/or length <-2 SDS according to neonatal Italian Charts. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze factors influencing neonatal weight and length, while logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of SGA status.

Results: The prevalence of SGAW was 1. 9% (28/1504), while SGAL was 3. 0% (43/1440). A total of 15 neonates (14 term, 1 preterm) were SGA for both weight and length, 13 neonates (11 term, 2 preterm) were SGA for weight only, and 28 neonates (23 term, 5 preterm) were SGA for length only. Logistic regression identified gestational age (β = 0. 73; p < 0. 001), neonatal length (β = -0. 65; p < 0. 001), placental weight (β = -0. 01; p < 0. 001), and male sex (β = 1. 62; p < 0. 001) as the main predictors of SGAW. When removing neonatal length from the model, placental weight (β = -0. 02; p < 0. 001) and twin status (β = 4. 83; P = 0. 010) were the only predictors of SGAW. Logistic regression identified gestational age (β = 0. 83; p < 0. 001), neonatal weight (β = -0. 055; p < 0. 001), and number of previous deliveries (β = 0. 57; P = 0. 018) as the main predictors of SGAL. When removing neonatal weight from the model, placental weight (β = -0. 01; p < 0. 001), twin status (β = 4. 79; P = 0. 001), and type of delivery (β = 1. 06; P = 0. 027) were the only predictors of SGAL. Only 9% of SGA neonates underwent an endocrinological follow-up, and 2% qualified for growth hormone therapy.

Conclusions: This study confirms the importance of gestational age, placental weight, and twin status as key determinants of neonatal growth. The findings highlight the higher risk of SGAW and SGAL in twin pregnancies and in cases of lower placental weight. Additionally, the low percentage of SGA neonates undergoing endocrinological follow-up underscores the need for improved postnatal monitoring. The small proportion of SGA neonates qualifying for growth hormone therapy aligns with previous findings.