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Babies born small for gestational age: insulin sensitivity and growth hormone treatment

David B Dunger1, Ken K Ong

  • 1University of Cambridge, Department of Paediatrics, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. dbd25@cam.ac.uk

Hormone Research
|January 28, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children with low birth weight and rapid infancy weight gain face higher risks for obesity and insulin resistance. Growth hormone treatment may temporarily worsen insulin resistance but does not immediately increase type 2 diabetes risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Health

Background:

  • Epidemiological studies link birth size to adult type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Children with low birth weight and rapid infancy weight gain show increased risk for childhood obesity, visceral fat, and insulin resistance.
  • Individuals in growth clinics with short stature and low birth weight may represent a heterogeneous group with insulin resistance and decreased lean mass.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the metabolic profiles of children with short stature and low birth weight.
  • To assess the impact of growth hormone treatment on insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes risk in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological data and clinical observations.
  • Analysis of short-term data on growth hormone treatment effects.

Main Results:

  • Children with low birth weight and rapid infancy weight gain are at elevated risk for obesity and insulin resistance.
  • Growth hormone treatment was associated with reversible worsening of insulin resistance.
  • Short-term data did not reveal an increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions:

  • Children with low birth weight and subsequent rapid weight gain require careful monitoring for metabolic health.
  • Long-term follow-up is essential to fully understand the risks associated with growth hormone treatment.
  • Particular attention should be paid to children with a family history of type 2 diabetes or belonging to high-prevalence ethnic groups.

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