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Fetal and postnatal growth and body composition at 6 months of age

Lamise Ay1, Vera A A Van Houten, Eric A P Steegers

  • 1The Generation R Study Group (AE006), Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, Rotterdam 3000 CA, The Netherlands. l.ay@erasmusmc.nl

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|March 19, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Fetal and postnatal growth patterns significantly impact infant body composition. Catch-down growth in the third trimester is linked to postnatal catch-up and increased fat mass by six months.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Body Composition Analysis

Background:

  • Infant body composition is influenced by various factors.
  • Understanding fetal and postnatal growth's role is crucial for early childhood health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify parental, fetal, and postnatal characteristics associated with infant fat and lean mass at 6 months.
  • To evaluate the impact of fetal and early infant growth patterns (catch-up/catch-down) on body composition.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study (Generation R Study) from early fetal life.
  • Body composition measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at 6 months in 252 infants.
  • Data collected via ultrasound and questionnaires.

Main Results:

  • Fetal weight catch-up in the second trimester was linked to higher fat mass percentage at 6 months.
  • Both fetal catch-up and catch-down in the third trimester increased fat mass percentage.
  • Third-trimester catch-down predicted postnatal catch-up, strongly associated with increased fat mass at 6 months.
  • Postnatal catch-up within 6 weeks showed the highest association with fat mass.
  • Girls had higher total and truncal fat mass.

Conclusions:

  • Fetal growth patterns, particularly third-trimester catch-down, influence postnatal growth and early childhood body composition.
  • Both fetal and postnatal growth trajectories are key determinants of body composition in early life.
Abstract

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