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Final height and cardiometabolic outcomes in young adults with very low birth weight (<1500 g)

Ryosuke Sato1, Masato Maekawa2, Rieko Genma3

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine II, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan; Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan.

Plos One
|November 15, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Shorter final height in very low birth weight (VLBW) adults is linked to poorer cardiometabolic health, including glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring metabolic health in VLBW individuals as they age.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Very low birth weight (VLBW) individuals (<1500 g) face increased risks for short stature and cardiometabolic disorders.
  • The relationship between final height and cardiometabolic outcomes, particularly glucose metabolism, in VLBW young adults requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the associations between final height and cardiometabolic outcomes in young adults born with VLBW.
  • To investigate glucose metabolism, lipid profiles, blood pressure, renal function, and thyroid function in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 111 young adults (19-30 years) born between 1980-1990 with VLBW were assessed.
  • Final height (<10th percentile defined as short stature) and glucose intolerance (using oral glucose tolerance tests) were evaluated.
  • Logistic and multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between final height and cardiometabolic outcomes.

Main Results:

  • 36% of VLBW participants had short stature, and 7.2% exhibited glucose intolerance.
  • Short stature was significantly correlated with glucose intolerance (OR 11.1, P=0.006).
  • Shorter final height was inversely associated with insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), HOMA-β, insulinogenic index, and LDL-cholesterol, independent of target height and pubertal onset.

Conclusions:

  • Shorter final height in VLBW young adults is associated with unfavorable metabolic profiles, including impaired glucose metabolism and insulin resistance.
  • Reduced insulin sensitivity may partially mediate the link between shorter stature and adverse metabolic outcomes.
  • These associations persist regardless of genetic predisposition (target height) or timing of puberty.
Abstract

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