Luís Pereira-da-Silva, Retiring Editor-in-Chief of the Portuguese Journal of Pediatrics; Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NOVA Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal; Unidade Local de Saúde São José, Hospital Dona Estefânia, Lisbon, Portugal
Daniel Virella, Neonatal Unit, Hospital Dona Estefânia and Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa, Unidade Local de Saúde São José, Lisbon, Portugal
Susana Pissarra, Department of Neonatology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário São João, Porto, Portuga
Catarina Valpaços, Neonatal Service, Centro Materno Infantil do Norte Albino Aroso, Unidade Local de Saúde de Santo António, Porto, Portugal
Manuel Cunha, Neonatal and Pediatrics Unit, Hospital de Cascais Dr. José de Almeida, Cascais, Portugal
Gustavo Rocha, Department of Neonatology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, ULS São João, Porto, Portugal
The Portuguese Neonatal Society updates the growth charts recommended for term and preterm infants. The suitability of the growth chart depends on the gestational age, the purpose of the measurement, and the life cycle stage. To classify intrauterine growth at birth, the Fenton 2013 growth charts, which are based on anthropometric records at birth, are the most appropriate for both term and preterm infants. For monitoring postnatal growth in full-term infants, the WHO 2006 Growth Prescriptive Standards are strongly recommended. To specifically monitor weight loss in the initial postnatal days, the NEWT® (http://newbornweight.org) nomogram is recommended. To assess body weight changes in preterm infants while in hospital, an accurate open-access online calculator (www.growthcalculator.org), based on weight trajectories that take into account the initial physiological weight loss, is recommended. The Fenton 2013 growth charts can be employed concurrently to monitor growth in length and head circumference. To assess growth in preterm infants following their discharge from hospital, the Intergrowth-21 prescriptive standards are appropriate for infants born at more than 27 weeks of gestation, up to 64 weeks postmenstrual age. Beyond this age, the prescriptive WHO 2006 growth standards should be employed.
Keywords: Anthropometry. Growth charts. Guidelines. Preterm infant. Term infant.
