Which growth chart is used to compare preterm infants from 22 weeks gestational age through 10 weeks post-term age?

Which growth chart is used to compare preterm infants from 22 weeks gestational age through 10 weeks post-term age?

• A. Fenton
• B. Ehrenkranz
• C. Dancis
• D. Lubchenco

Answer: (A)

Assessing preterm infant growth requires a chart that spans the entire preterm period and extends into the early post-term window, using postmenstrual age to track progress. The chart designed for this purpose provides weight, length, and head circumference curves from about 22 weeks of gestation up to roughly 50–52 weeks postmenstrual age, aligning with the 10 weeks after term. This makes it the best tool for comparing a preterm infant’s growth across that entire span, because it reflects maturation rather than just chronological age. Other charts serve different purposes or populations. Lubchenco’s birth-weight-for-gestational-age references are useful at birth but aren’t ideal for longitudinal postnatal growth tracking. Ehrenkranz focuses on postnatal growth velocity in preterm infants and isn’t the primary cross-sectional reference for the full preterm to post-term interval. Dancis provides older intrauterine fetal growth data rather than postnatal growth trajectories.

Assessing preterm infant growth requires a chart that spans the entire preterm period and extends into the early post-term window, using postmenstrual age to track progress. The chart designed for this purpose provides weight, length, and head circumference curves from about 22 weeks of gestation up to roughly 50–52 weeks postmenstrual age, aligning with the 10 weeks after term. This makes it the best tool for comparing a preterm infant’s growth across that entire span, because it reflects maturation rather than just chronological age.

Other charts serve different purposes or populations. Lubchenco’s birth-weight-for-gestational-age references are useful at birth but aren’t ideal for longitudinal postnatal growth tracking. Ehrenkranz focuses on postnatal growth velocity in preterm infants and isn’t the primary cross-sectional reference for the full preterm to post-term interval. Dancis provides older intrauterine fetal growth data rather than postnatal growth trajectories.