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Growth patterns of first-generation Southeast Asian Americans from birth to 5 years of age
A E Hyslop1, A S Deinard, E Dahlberg-Luby
1Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Insights
Hmong and Lao children born in the U.S. exhibit short stature. Hmong children show early signs of overweight, differing from Lao and white children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Growth and Development
- Anthropometry
- Ethnic Variations in Child Health
Background:
- Understanding child growth patterns is crucial for identifying health disparities.
- Previous research has indicated variations in growth among different ethnic groups.
- The Hmong and Lao populations in the U.S. present unique demographic characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the growth trajectories of height, weight, and occipitofrontal circumference in Hmong, Lao, and white children.
- To identify specific growth patterns and potential health concerns within these pediatric populations.
- To establish reference data for these ethnic groups within the U.S. context.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of longitudinal cohort data from clinic records.
- Inclusion of 146 white, 112 Hmong, and 49 Lao children aged 0-5 years.
- Data collection focused on children conceived, with prenatal care, and born in the U.S. over a 10-year period.
Main Results:
- White children's growth approximated National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference data.
- Lao children, particularly boys, were shorter and lighter than reference data.
- Hmong children were short but disproportionately heavier, with elevated weight-for-height, especially in girls.
Conclusions:
- Hmong and Lao children born in the U.S. exhibit persistent short stature.
- Hmong children demonstrate early overweight tendencies distinct from Lao and white children.
- These findings highlight the need for tailored growth monitoring and health interventions for these populations.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to compare patterns of growth (height, weight, occipitofrontal circumference) of Hmong, Lao, and white children conceived and born in the United States.
Methods:
The study design involved a retrospective review of longitudinal cohorts from clinic records. Participants included 146 white, 112 Hmong, and 49 Lao children on whom data were collected from birth to 5 years of age. All were patients of a community clinic in a poor urban neighborhood. The study included children whose mothers conceived and received all prenatal care in the United States and gave birth in Minnesota during a 10-year period. Measurements on family characteristics, height, weight, and occipitofrontal circumference were obtained.
Results:
The white children generally approximate the medians of national (National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS]) reference data. Lao children (especially boys) are found to be short and proportionately light relative to reference data. Hmong children are found to be short relative to reference data but are disproportionately heavier, so that weight-for-height is considerably higher than reference data. In Hmong girls, mean weight-for-height z scores increase from -0.5 z at birth to 1.26 z at 5 years, an average increase of 0.31 z per year.
Conclusions:
Lao and Hmong children conceived and born in the United States continue to have short stature (10th to 25th percentile). Hmong children have evidence of early overweight that is distinctive when compared with Lao and white counterparts.