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Body composition from birth to 6 months in term small-for-gestational-age Indian infants: effect of catch-up growth

Brijesh Kumar1, Pratima Anand2, Harish Chellani2

  • 1Paediatric Endocrinology Division, Department of Paediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi110029, India.

The British Journal of Nutrition
|May 31, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Catch-up growth in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants primarily increases fat mass, not fat-free mass, by six months. This early gain in fat mass in SGA infants warrants further investigation for long-term health implications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Human Growth and Development

Background:

  • Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants often experience growth challenges.
  • Understanding body composition changes in SGA infants is crucial for their long-term health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess growth and body composition in term SGA infants from birth to 6 months.
  • To evaluate the impact of catch-up growth (CUG) on body composition in these infants.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational study of term SGA newborns.
  • Anthropometry and body composition (fat mass and fat-free mass) measured using air displacement plethysmography at multiple time points up to 6 months.
  • Factors influencing CUG and body composition analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Over 50% of SGA infants exhibited catch-up growth (CUG) by 6 months.
  • Infants with CUG showed significantly higher fat mass and fat mass percentage compared to those without CUG.
  • Catch-up growth was associated with lower birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding, and higher parental stature.

Conclusions:

  • Catch-up growth in term SGA infants during the first 6 months is predominantly driven by an increase in fat mass.
  • The disproportionate gain in fat mass requires further study to understand its long-term health effects in SGA infants.

Keywords:
Accelerated growthAdiposityFat mass percentageInfancy growthLow birth weight infants

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