Cardiometabolic evaluation of small for gestational age children: protective effect of breast milk

Introduction: human growth is the result of an interaction between genetic, hormonal, nutritional, and environmental factors. It is not yet fully understood what is predominant and decisive in determining an individual's weight and height. Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiometabolic profile of exclusively breastfed children born small for gestational age (SGA). Methods: this is a prospective cohort study of children born at term who were classified as SGA, and as appropiate for gestational age (AGA), who were followed up to pre-school age. Anthropometric measures and body composition parameters were obtained. Breastfeeding duration was calculated in days, and achievement of catch up of weight was considered an increase in Z-score ≥ 0.67. The cardiometabolic profile was evaluated in the first month of life and repeated at pre-school age. At pre-school age, fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and blood pressure were measured. Results: twenty SGA and 12 AGA children were studied. The mean duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was 180 days in both groups. Of SGA children, 85 % had recovery anthropometric parameters for age within the first six months, with a speed of weight gain significantly higher than the that of AGAs (p < 0.001). SGAs continued to be thinner and smaller than AGAs at pre-school age. There was no diagnosis of overweight or obesity in the studied sample, and no differences were foun between groups in laboratory tests. Conclusion: these findings suggest that EBF may confer protection until pre-school age in children born SGA, who are considered at higher risk for chronic non-communicable diseases.