Auxological and metabolic study in small for gestational age children during 2 years follow-up

Abstract

Objective: To compare auxological and metabolic status of preterm (PT) and fullterm (FT) small for gestational age (SGA) babies from birth until age 2 years and to study the role of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in auxological and metabolic outcome in SGA babies.

Methods: We enrolled 44 SGA babies (22 FTs, 22 PTs) followed up six monthly. Anthropometric and metabolic measurements (fasting glucose, basal insulin level, total-cholesterol, triglycerides) were performed. HOMA-IR was selected to assess insulin sensitivity.

Results: Both FTs and PTs from birth to age 6 months showed a significant increase in weight and length; the weight gain decreased from 6 to 12 months only in PTs. At 24 months, we observed catch-up growth in 90% of FTs and 87% of PTs. Insulinemia and HOMA-IR decreased from birth to 24 months, in particular between 6 and 12 months. PTs SGA with IUGR were significantly smaller than FTs SGA without IUGR (p = 0.01) and showed a lower length growth velocity. Moreover they showed also higher insulin levels and HOMA-IR at birth; these values decreased at 12 and 24 months.

Conclusions: Our study showed no significant difference between PTs and FTs SGA in auxological and metabolic parameters. However, prematurity with IUGR proved to be a significant factor that should be considered in the timing of auxological follow-up of SGA subjects.