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Published on: May 6, 2013
[Low birth weight is a risk factor for type 1 diabetes]
B García Cuartero1, A González Vergaz, S Herranz
1Unidad de Endocrinología Pediátrica, Servicio de Pediatría Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa, Leganés Madrid, Spain. bgarciac.hsvo@salud.madrid.org
Insights
Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) often have lower birth weight and a significant increase in body mass index (BMI) during early life. These factors may indicate intrauterine influences as a risk for T1DM.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
Context:
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) incidence is rising, particularly in children.
- Childhood obesity is increasingly linked to T1DM development.
- Understanding early life factors influencing T1DM onset is crucial.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between birth weight, early-life BMI changes, and BMI at diagnosis with age at T1DM diagnosis in children.
- To explore potential links between intrauterine factors and T1DM risk.
Summary:
- This study analyzed 100 Caucasian children with T1DM.
- Results showed lower birth weight and BMI at birth in T1DM patients compared to controls.
- A significant BMI increase in the first two years of life was observed in T1DM children, with lower birth BMI correlating with younger age at diagnosis.
Impact:
- Identifies low birth weight and rapid early-life BMI gain as potential risk factors for T1DM.
- Suggests the intrauterine environment may play a role in T1DM etiology.
- Provides insights for early identification and potential intervention strategies for T1DM.
Introduction And Aim:
Over recent years, the increasing incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been associated with different factors, particularly increased obesity in childhood. The aim of this study was to find out if there was any relationship between birth weight, body mass index (BMI) increase during the first two 3 years of life, and BMI at diabetes onset with age at diagnosis, in a cohort of children diagnosed with T1DM.
Material And Method:
Data from 100 Caucasian children with T1DM of both sexes (57 boys, 43 girls) between 10 months and 16 years of age, mean age 84.45 months (SD; 52.4), were studied. We analysed the following variables: age at diagnosis, gestational age, weight and height at birth, at two years of age and at diabetes diagnosis, expressed as SD scores (SDS).
Results:
All children were between 38-40 weeks of gestational age. Diabetic patients have lower birth weight (-2.88 ((-0.51)-(-0.066)) and lower BMI at birth compared with healthy children -0.5 ((-0.77)-(-0.23)). Diabetic children have a significant increase in BMI during the first two years of life (4.58 versus 2.17; P<0.001). Children with the lowest BMI at birth (12.77 versus 13.06; P<0.006) are the youngest at onset of the disease. BMI at diagnosis was not related to any of the variables studied. There were no gender differences either.
Conclusions:
The low BMI at birth and the later increase in the following years of life seem to be related to intrauterine environment as a risk factor for T1DM.
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