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Small and large size for gestational age at birth, infant growth, and childhood overweight
Author(s) -
Taal Hendrik R.,
vd Heijden Albert J.,
Steegers Eric A.P.,
Hofman Albert,
Jaddoe Vincent W.V.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.20116
Subject(s) - medicine , gestational age , small for gestational age , birth weight , overweight , body mass index , odds ratio , pediatrics , confidence interval , population , obstetrics , prospective cohort study , generation r , pregnancy , biology , genetics , environmental health
Objective The associations of size at birth, with infant growth of head circumference, length and weight, and fat mass and body mass index in preschool children were examined. Design and Methods In a population‐based prospective cohort study among 3,941 children, head circumference, length and weight until the age of 4 years were repeatedly measured. Catch‐up and catch‐down growth were defined as a change in standard deviation scores of >0.67 from birth to 2 years of age. Results Although most children born small and large size for gestational age showed infant catch‐up and catch‐down growth, respectively, their mean head circumference, length and weight remained smaller and larger respectively, until the age of 4 years. Catch‐up growth in children with a small and appropriate weight for gestational age and lack of catch‐down growth in children born with a large weight for gestational age were associated with higher body mass index in preschool children. Children born with an appropriate weight for gestational age with catch‐up growth and children born with a large weight for gestational without catch‐down growth had increased risks of childhood overweight {odds ratios: 3.11 (95% confidence interval[95%CI] 2.37, 4.08) and 12.46 (95% CI: 6.07, 25.58) respectively}. Conclusions Children born small, appropriate and large size for gestational age have different growth patterns in early childhood and persistent differences in their head circumference, length, and weight until the age of 4 years. Children born with an appropriate weight for gestational age with catch‐up growth and large weight for gestational children without catch‐down growth have an increased risk of overweight.