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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Prothrombotic state, cardiovascular, and metabolic syndrome risk factors in prepubertal children born large for
Eleni N Evagelidou1, Vasileios I Giapros, Anna S Challa
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital of Ioannina, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
Insights
Children born large for gestational age (LGA) show altered cardiometabolic risk factors in prepuberty. LGA is linked to higher insulin, leptin, and insulin resistance, with genetic variations also observed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Large for gestational age (LGA) birth is associated with potential long-term health risks.
- Understanding early-life metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors is crucial for preventative strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk factors in prepubertal children born LGA.
- To compare these factors between LGA and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) children from healthy mothers.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 31 LGA and 34 AGA children (6-7 years old) were assessed.
- Evaluated parameters included insulin, glucose, lipids, adipokines (leptin, adiponectin), IGF-1, coagulation factors, and specific genetic mutations (Factor V Leiden, prothrombin, MTHFR).
Main Results:
- LGA children exhibited higher levels of leptin, fasting insulin, and homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).
- Lower levels of IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFB-3) and fibrinogen were observed in LGA children.
- A higher prevalence of homozygous MTHFR-C677T mutation was found in LGA children.
Conclusions:
- Being born LGA is associated with significant alterations in cardiometabolic risk factors during prepuberty.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring children born LGA for early signs of metabolic and cardiovascular issues.
Objective:
To evaluate metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk factors in prepubertal children born large for gestational age (LGA) to nondiabetic, nonobese mothers.
Research Design And Methods:
At 6-7 years of age, the comparison of various factors was made between 31 LGA and 34 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) children: fibrinogen, antithrombin III, protein C and S, fasting insulin, glucose, homeostasis assessment model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, IGF-1, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-1, IGFBP-3, lipids, and the genetic factors V Leiden G1691A mutation, prothrombin 20210A/G polymorphism, and mutation in the enzyme 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase gene (MTHFR-C677T).
Results:
LGA children had higher levels of leptin (P<0.01), fasting insulin (P<0.01), and HOMA-IR (P<0.01), but lower IGFBP-3 (P=0.0001), fibrinogen (P=0.0001), and lipoprotein(a) (P<0.001) than AGA children. Significantly more LGA children were homozygous for the MTHFR-C677T mutation (P=0.0016).
Conclusions:
Being born LGA to nondiabetic, nonobese mothers is associated with diverse effects on cardiometabolic risk factors at prepuberty.
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