Metabolic monitoring of obese children born small for gestational age

Abstract

Introduction: The "catch-up growth" phenomenon in children born small for gestational age (SGA) has been linked to early onset obesity with the subsequent emergence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) or its components. It has been postulated that the prevalence of MetS and its components increases strongly with age.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study was carried out over a 5 year period (2007-2011) to determine long-term metabolic complications in obese children born with normal weight for gestational age (appropriate for gestational age: AGA) and SGA. 517 patients were qualified into the study. According to birth weight and gestational age they were first divided into SGA (107 patients--20%) and AGA (410 patients--80%) and then by age into three subgroups: prepubertary group, pubertary group and adolescents. Blood pressure, lipids and glucose were measured. Oral glucose tolerance tests (oGTT) were performed in all subjects.

Results: Prepubertary patients showed no significant differences between SGA and AGA; 4.8% met the framing criteria (according to Weiss) for MetS. Pubertary patients showed a slightly increased prevalence of MetS among SGA patients 10.8%, compared to AGA patients 7.3%. MetS prevalence was significantly higher in obese adolescents born SGA 26.3% compared to AGA 15.7%.

Conclusion: MetS or its components develop progressively with age. Increased prevalence of MetS in SGA patients indicates that being born SGA appears to be an additional risk factor in the development of MetS starting with puberty.

Keywords: Metabolic syndrome; Obesity; Small for gestational age.