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Published on: June 29, 2013
Body Composition of Infants Born with Intrauterine Growth Restriction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Rukman Manapurath1, Barsha Gadapani2, Luís Pereira-da-Silva3,4
1Maternal and Child Health (Nutrition), Society for Applied Studies, Centre for Health Research and Development, 45-Kalusarai, New Delhi 110016, India.
Insights
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants show reduced fat-free mass and fat mass in early infancy. This body composition change may increase future metabolic disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is linked to later-life metabolic disease risk.
- Altered body composition, specifically fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM), may mediate this risk.
- Understanding early infant body composition in IUGR is crucial for metabolic health prediction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effect of IUGR on infant body composition (FFM and FM).
- To synthesize current evidence on FFM and FM changes in IUGR and small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants.
- To inform potential nutritional interventions for IUGR infants.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published from 2000 to August 2021.
- Searched five databases for studies on IUGR/SGA infants and body composition outcomes (FFM, FM).
- Included 18 studies, with 7 contributing to the primary outcome meta-analysis.
Main Results:
- IUGR and SGA infants were consistently lighter and shorter than controls.
- Meta-analysis revealed significantly lower FFM (mean difference -429.19g, p=0.02) in IUGR infants.
- Significantly lower FM (mean difference -282.9g, p<0.001) was also observed in IUGR infants.
Conclusions:
- IUGR infants exhibit reduced FFM and FM in early life.
- These body composition deficits may represent a key factor in the predisposition to future metabolic diseases.
- Further research with longer follow-up is needed to confirm the link between early body composition and long-term metabolic outcomes.
Abstract:
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) may predispose metabolic diseases in later life. Changes in fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) may explain this metabolic risk. This review studied the effect of IUGR on body composition in early infancy. Five databases and included studies from all countries published from 2000 until August 2021 were searched. Participants were IUGR or small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants, and the primary outcomes were FFM and FM. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria, of which seven were included in the meta-analysis of primary outcomes. Overall, intrauterine growth-restricted and SGA infants were lighter and shorter than normal intrauterine growth and appropriate-for-gestational age infants, respectively, from birth to the latest follow up. They had lower FFM [mean difference −429.19 (p = 0.02)] and FM [mean difference −282.9 (p < 0.001)]. The issue of whether lower FFM and FM as reasons for future metabolic risk in IUGR infants is intriguing which could be explored in further research with longer follow-up. This review, the first of its kind can be useful for developing nutrition targeted interventions for IUGR infants in future.
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