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Fetal and infant growth patterns and kidney function at school age
Hanneke Bakker1, Romy Gaillard1, Oscar H Franco2
1The Generation R Study Group, and Departments of Epidemiology, Pediatrics, and.
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN
|May 10, 2014
Summary
Low fetal and infant weight growth is linked to smaller kidney volume in childhood. Lower fetal weight growth specifically is associated with reduced kidney function in children, independent of later growth.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Developmental Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Low birth weight is a known risk factor for end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
- Understanding early life growth patterns is crucial for identifying potential links to later kidney function.
- Prospective cohort studies are vital for tracking developmental trajectories and health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between longitudinally measured fetal and infant growth and kidney function in school-aged children.
- To identify specific early life growth patterns related to kidney volume and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at age 6.
- To determine if fetal and early postnatal growth influence kidney development independently of later growth.
Main Methods:
- A population-based prospective cohort study of 6482 children followed from fetal life.
- Longitudinal measurements of fetal and childhood growth (second/third trimesters, birth, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 months).
- Kidney volume assessed by ultrasound and estimated GFR (eGFR) by blood creatinine at age 6.
Main Results:
- Higher gestational age-adjusted birth weight correlated with larger kidney volume and higher eGFR.
- Fetal weight, birth weight, and 6-month weight positively associated with childhood kidney volume.
- Higher second-trimester fetal weight linked to higher GFR; fetal and infant lengths showed no consistent associations.
Conclusions:
- Lower fetal and early infant weight growth is associated with reduced kidney volume in childhood.
- Lower fetal weight growth, independent of postnatal growth, is linked to diminished kidney function in childhood.
- Further research is needed to ascertain if these early growth associations increase the risk of kidney disease later in life.
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