Birth Weight, Current Anthropometric Markers, and High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Brazilian School Children

Abstract

Studies have shown associations of birth weight with increased concentrations of high sensitivity C-reactive protein. This study assessed the relationship between birth weight, anthropometric and metabolic parameters during childhood, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein. A total of 612 Brazilian school children aged 5–13 years were included in the study. High sensitivity C-reactive protein was measured by particle-enhanced immunonephelometry. Nutritional status was assessed by body mass index, waist circumference, and skinfolds. Total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, and glucose were measured by enzymatic methods. Insulin sensitivity was determined by the homeostasis model assessment method. Statistical analysis included chi-square test, General Linear Model, and General Linear Model for Gamma Distribution. Body mass index, waist circumference, and skinfolds were directly associated with birth weight (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.015, resp.). Large for gestational age children showed higher high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (P < 0.001) than small for gestational age. High birth weight is associated with higher levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein, body mass index, waist circumference, and skinfolds. Large for gestational age altered high sensitivity C-reactive protein and promoted additional risk factor for atherosclerosis in these school children, independent of current nutritional status.

Biological and behavioral correlates of body weight status among rural Northeast Brazilian schoolchildren

“…Hack et al (), observed changes in physical growth from birth to 20 years in a sample of very low birth weight children, and reported that, at 8 years of age, both boys and girls had lower weight and BMI than their normal birth weight pairs. Similarly, Boscaini and Pellanda (), verified a relationship between birth weight and anthropometric indicators during childhood in a sample of Brazilian school children, finding a direct association between birth weight and BMI, waist circumference, and skinfolds, ie, lower values for these variables were found among low birth weight children, while high birth weight children had the highest. Further, an association exists between high birth weight and childhood overweight/obesity, suggesting that high birth weight children tend to be overweight/obese during childhood or adolescence (Schellong et al, ; Yu et al, ).…”

Association between indicators of systemic inflammation biomarkers during puberty with breast density and onset of menarche

“…Maternal education was considered an indicator of socio-economic status and categorized by whether the participant's mother self-reported any post-secondary education. We adjusted our statistical models for birthweight, height, fat percentage, ethnicity, and maternal education because they have been previously been associated with inflammatory markers [30][31][32]. These variables have also been associated with pubertal timing and development [33][34][35].…”

Maternal investment, life-history trajectory of the off-spring and cardiovascular disease risk in Emirati females in the United Arab Emirates

“…A cohort study of indigenous Australians found that those with the highest CVD risk were both in the highest waist circumference quartile group and of low birth weight [ 19 ]. Boscaini & Pellanda [ 20 ] revealed that high birth weight individuals had higher BMI and waist circumference. This implies that the relationship is much more complex and our understanding of it needs further exploration [ 21 ].…”