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Innate small babies are metabolically healthy children
Ivana Milovanovic1, Falucar Njuieyon, Samia Deghmoun
1Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale CIE 05-Unité d'épidémiologie clinique, 48, Boulevard de Sérurier, Hôpital Robert Debré, F-75019 Paris, France. ivana.milovanovic@inserm.fr
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|September 20, 2012
Summary
Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) without fetal growth restriction (innate SGA or iSGA) do not show metabolic complications by age 2. These iSGA infants have lower birth weights but no increased metabolic risk compared to appropriate for gestational age infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Small for gestational age (SGA) is a known risk factor for metabolic complications.
- SGA definition includes infants with fetal growth restriction and innate SGA (iSGA).
- Distinguishing between these SGA subtypes is crucial for understanding metabolic risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if innate SGA infants exhibit metabolic complications at 2 years of age.
- To compare metabolic profiles of iSGA infants with those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA).
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of 58 infants with SGA risk factors from midgestation to 2 years.
- Assessment of fetal growth velocity via ultrasound.
- Measurement of body composition and hormonal profiles at birth, 1 year, and 2 years.
Main Results:
- iSGA infants were significantly lighter at birth and up to 2 years compared to AGA infants.
- No significant differences in fetal growth velocity were observed between iSGA and AGA groups.
- No metabolic or hormonal differences were found between iSGA and AGA infants up to 2 years.
Conclusions:
- Infants born innate SGA do not experience severe fetal growth restriction.
- Innate SGA infants show no evidence of metabolic risk in the first two years of life.
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