Birth Weight and the Development of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Infants

Abstract

Purpose To assess the association between birth weight and the development of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in the first year of life. Methods This is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort multicenter study including neonates, consecutively enrolled at birth, and followed up for one year. At birth all infants were classified by birth weight as extremely low (ELBW), very low, or low when <1,000, <1,500, and <2,500 g, respectively, and by birth weight for gestational age as appropriate (AGA, weight in the 10–90th percentile), small (SGA, weight <10th percentile), and large (LGA, weight >90th percentile) for gestational age. FGIDs were classified according to the Rome III criteria and assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of life. Results Among 1,152 newborns enrolled, 934 (81.1%) completed the study: 302 (32.3%) were preterm, 35 (3.7%) were ELBW, 104 (11.1%) were SGA, 782 (83.7%) were AGA, and 48 (5.1%) were LGA infants. Overall, throughout the first year of life, 718 (76.9%) reported at least one FGID. The proportion of infants presenting with at least one FGID was significantly higher in ELBW (97%) compared to LBW (74%) ( p =0.01) and in LGA (85.4%) and SGA (85.6%) compared to AGA (75.2%) ( p =0.0001). On multivariate analysis, SGA was significantly associated with infantile colic. Conclusion We observed an increased risk of FGIDs in ELBW, SGA, and LGA neonates. Our results suggest that prenatal factors determining birth weight may influence the development of FGIDs in infants. Understanding the role of all potential risk factors may provide new insights and targeted approaches for FGIDs.

Neonatal risk factors for functional gastrointestinal disorders in preterm infants in the first year of life

“…We also found that infants with a gestational age of fewer than 32 weeks have an enhanced risk of infantile colic and infant regurgitation. As reported in Danish and Italian studies, infants with lower birth weights are at double risk (or even higher) for developing infantile colic [24,25] . In line with this, our results indicated that low birth weight (<1.5 kg) has been linked to an elevated risk of infantile colic as well as regurgitation.…”

Determinants of Stunting in Children Aged 12 to 60 Months in Kota Waingapu District, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

“…This finding was opposed by a study from Aryastami et al (2017), which showed a strong significant relationship between low birth weight and the incidence of stunting with (p<0.001). Children with low birth weight tend to have functional gastrointestinal disorders (Baldassarre et al, 2020). Also, food intolerance often happens in children with very low birth weight or low birth weight who are premature (Carter, 2012).…”

Probiotics and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Pediatric Age: A Narrative Review

“…Infantile colic represents a self-limited condition, but continues to remain a major cause of concern for parents and of distress for infants ( 27 ). Recently, a large Italian prospective study recruiting infants since birth and monitoring up to 1 year of life, showed a high incidence of colic (50.7%) particularly expressed in infants born preterm, with low birth weight or exposed to antibiotics in the perinatal period ( 28 , 29 ).…”