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Does fetal growth restriction influence body composition at school age?

Marilia C Lima1, Henrique F Dantas, Rosemary J M Amorim

  • 1Departamento Materno Infantil, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.

Jornal De Pediatria
|January 13, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight did not significantly impact body composition in full-term schoolchildren. Socioeconomic factors and child morbidity were more influential on body fat deposition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Low birth weight is a global concern affecting child development.
  • Understanding long-term body composition impacts is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of low birth weight in full-term infants on body composition at school age.
  • To identify factors influencing body composition in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 213 children (aged 8) from a birth cohort in Pernambuco, Brazil.
  • Body composition assessed via skinfold thickness and mid-upper arm circumference.
  • Multivariable linear regression analyzed influences of birth weight, socioeconomic status, maternal nutrition, and child morbidity.

Main Results:

  • Children with low birth weight had slightly lower skinfold thickness and arm circumference, but differences were not significant.
  • Socioeconomic variables, particularly family income, explained the most variance in triceps skinfold thickness (12.3%).
  • Childhood anemia, past hospitalization, and maternal BMI also influenced body composition, while low birth weight did not.

Conclusions:

  • Socioeconomic status and childhood morbidity significantly influence body composition in full-term schoolchildren.
  • Low birth weight was not a primary determinant of body composition at school age in this population.
Abstract

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