Valid serial length measurements in preterm infants permit characterization of growth patterns.

Background: The lack of a valid and safe method for measuring length in critically ill preterm neonates has led to a primary focus on weight gain.

Local Problem: Paucity of valid length measurements, precluding the accurate analysis of growth patterns.

Methods: Quality improvement project among infants < 29 weeks or small for gestational age < 35 weeks with embedded validation of (1) a caliper (infantometer) for length measurements and (2) length measurements during the first week to estimate birth length.