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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Physical and social activities constraint and its effects on Body Mass Index of former Neonatal Intensive Care
Maria Dalva Barbosa Baker Méio1, Maria Elisabeth Lopes Moreira1, Letícia Duarte Villela2
1Post-graduation of Applied Clinical Research, Instituto Fernandes Figueira, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Insights
COVID-19 confinement measures led to weight gain in former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit children. This increase in Body mass index (BMI) raises concerns about future obesity risks, particularly for premature infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) outcomes
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic introduced confinement measures impacting children's lifestyles and health.
- Previous studies have indicated potential weight gain in the general pediatric population during lockdowns.
- Former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) graduates may be a vulnerable group due to underlying health conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of COVID-19 confinement measures on the nutritional status of former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) children.
- To analyze the Body mass index (BMI) changes in this specific pediatric cohort.
- To identify factors associated with weight changes during the pandemic.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted.
- 126 former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) children were enrolled.
- Body mass index (BMI) was the primary outcome measure.
Main Results:
- Weight excess was observed, particularly in younger children (≤5 years: 33.8%) compared to older children (>5 years: 15.2%).
- Prematurity was significantly associated with weight excess in both age groups (p<0.05).
- Factors such as mealtime changes, reduced physical activity, socioeconomic status, and perinatal morbidities influenced BMI.
Conclusions:
- Increased BMI in former NICU graduates post-confinement is a concern.
- Gestational age at birth and intrauterine growth restriction are associated with this BMI increase.
- This trend may signal an elevated risk for future obesity in this vulnerable pediatric population.
Objective:
It is reported weight gain in children due to the confinement measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. We aimed to describe the effect of these measures on the nutritional status of former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit children.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study, including former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit children. The outcome was the Body mass index (BMI).
Results:
We enrolled 126 children (74.6 % preterm; 31 % small-for-gestational-age). Weight excess was greater in the youngest group (≤5 years: 33.8 %; >5 years: 15.2 %). Prematurity was associated with weight excess in both groups (≤5 years: p value 0.006; >5 years: p value 0.046; Pearson test). Mealtime changes, lack of physical activity, socioeconomic factors and the perinatal morbidities significantly influenced the mean BMI. Birth length Z score less than -1.28 was negatively associated with BMI, while gestational age at birth presented a positive association with BMI (linear regression model).
Conclusions:
The BMI increase due to the confinement measures associated with the gestational age at birth and in those born with intrauterine growth restriction is a matter of concern, as it might indicate a risk for future obesity.
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