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Influence of catch-up growth on abdominal fat distribution in very low birth weight children - cohort study

João Guilherme Alves, Sarita Amorim Vasconcelos, Tais Sá de Almeida

    Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
    |August 26, 2014
    PubMed

    Insights

    Rapid catch-up growth in very low birth weight (VLBW) children did not alter abdominal fat distribution by age three. However, these VLBW infants with rapid growth were taller, suggesting growth patterns influence later development.

    Area of Science:

    • Neonatal research
    • Pediatric endocrinology
    • Growth and development studies

    Background:

    • Rapid catch-up growth in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is linked to increased height but also metabolic risks.
    • Abdominal fat distribution in early life may influence these outcomes.
    • Understanding this relationship is crucial for managing VLBW infants.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To compare abdominal fat distribution in VLBW children with and without rapid catch-up growth.
    • To investigate the impact of early growth patterns on body composition in VLBW infants.

    Main Methods:

    • A cohort study followed 86 VLBW children (<1500g) in Brazil for 3 years.
    • Rapid catch-up growth was defined as length increase >2 Z-scores in the first year.
    • Abdominal fat thickness (subcutaneous and preperitoneal) was measured using ultrasound.

    Main Results:

    • 22 out of 79 (27.8%) VLBW children exhibited rapid catch-up growth.
    • No significant differences in abdominal subcutaneous or preperitoneal fat thickness were found between groups.
    • VLBW children with rapid catch-up growth were taller at follow-up.

    Conclusions:

    • Rapid catch-up growth in the first year of life in VLBW children does not appear to alter abdominal fat distribution by the third year.
    • Early growth velocity in VLBW infants may influence linear growth without immediate changes in abdominal adiposity.
    Abstract

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