The association between birth weight at term and long-term endocrine morbidity of the offspring

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Perinatal Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Birth weight deviations from the norm, specifically small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA), are recognized perinatal conditions.
• The long-term health implications of these birth weight categories, particularly concerning pediatric endocrine morbidity, require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if SGA and LGA birth weights at term are associated with an increased risk of long-term pediatric endocrine morbidity.
• To identify specific endocrine conditions linked to SGA and LGA birth weights.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, population-based cohort study design was employed.
• The study compared the incidence of long-term pediatric hospitalizations for endocrine morbidity among singleton children born SGA, appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA), and LGA at term.
• Multivariate generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression analysis was used to control for potential confounding factors.

Main Results:

• The study included 235,614 deliveries, with 4.7% SGA, 91% AGA, and 4.3% LGA neonates.
• Children born SGA or LGA at term exhibited a significantly higher rate of long-term endocrine morbidity compared to AGA infants.
• SGA was an independent risk factor for childhood hypothyroidism (aOR=3.2), while LGA was an independent risk factor for overweight and obesity (aOR=1.7).

Conclusions:

• Both small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) birth weights at term are independent risk factors for long-term pediatric endocrine morbidity.
• These findings highlight the importance of monitoring children with abnormal birth weights for potential endocrine complications throughout childhood.