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Growth patterns of large, small, and appropriate for gestational age infants: impacts of long-term breastfeeding: a

M Orhun Çamurdan1, Aysu Duyan Çamurdan, Selda Polat

  • 1Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|September 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Long breastfeeding may protect large for gestational age (LGA) infants from childhood obesity. This study tracked BMI in LGA, small for gestational age (SGA), and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants up to age four.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • High and low birth weights are linked to childhood obesity, necessitating careful monitoring.
  • Infant size for gestational age (SGA, AGA, LGA) influences early growth trajectories.
  • Breastfeeding duration is a potential factor in modulating infant growth and long-term health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze body mass index (BMI) variations in infants categorized as large (LGA), small (SGA), or appropriate (AGA) for gestational age from birth to four years.
  • To investigate the impact of breastfeeding duration on the BMI outcomes of these infant groups.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study involving 407 infants.
  • Categorization into SGA, AGA, and LGA groups.
  • Longitudinal tracking of body mass index (BMI) and correlation with breastfeeding duration.

Main Results:

  • LGA infants were more common in boys, SGA in girls. Maternal gestational diabetes mellitus was associated with LGA infants.
  • SGA infants exhibited rapid catch-up growth, while LGA infants showed catch-down growth.
  • Extended breastfeeding (over 12 months) normalized BMI in LGA infants, whereas shorter durations were linked to higher BMI until age three.

Conclusions:

  • Prolonged breastfeeding may mitigate the risk of childhood obesity in large for gestational age (LGA) infants.
  • Breastfeeding duration is a critical factor in the long-term metabolic health of LGA infants.
Abstract

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