Extreme Birth Weight and Metabolic Syndrome in Children

Abstract

Small and large birth weights (BWs) for gestational age (GA) represent extremes, but the correlation between extreme BW and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we examined this correlation in obese children based on changes in their metabolic profile from childhood to adolescence. A retrospective observational study was performed on 535 obese patients aged 0–18 years in the Clinical and Emergency Hospital for Children “Louis Turcanu” in Timisoara, Romania, based on clinical and biological data from January 2015 to December 2019. We emphasized the links between extreme BW and obesity, extreme BW and cardiometabolic risk, obesity and cardiometabolic risk, and extreme BW, obesity and MetS. Children born large for gestational age (LGA) predominated over those born small for gestational age (SGA). Our findings showed that BW has an independent effect on triglycerides and insulin resistance, whereas obesity had a direct influence on hypertension, impaired glucose metabolism and hypertriglyceridemia. The influences of BW and obesity on the development of MetS and its components are difficult to separate; therefore, large prospective studies in normal-weight patients are needed.

The association between perinatal factors and cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity: A retrospective two-cohort study

“…We found that SGA was associated with increased risk for hypertensive BP in children with overweight or obesity, both in children born preterm and full-term. In line with our finding, 2 hospital-based studies in Germany and Romania of children with overweight found a higher prevalence of hypertension in children born SGA, but the studies included only children born full-term [ 16 , 18 ]. In contrast, results in the general population showed different directions, partly depending on the age when BP was measured.…”

“…Childhood obesity is per se a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases [15] and to which extent perinatal factors contribute to the risk for cardiometabolic comorbidities in children with obesity remains unclear. Evidence in children with overweight/obesity is scarce and inconsistent [16][17][18][19]. For example, one study found an association between SGA and hypertension [16], while the other study reported no association [17,18].…”

“…Evidence in children with overweight/obesity is scarce and inconsistent [16][17][18][19]. For example, one study found an association between SGA and hypertension [16], while the other study reported no association [17,18]. These previous studies were limited by rather small numbers of individuals born SGA and the possibility of selection bias, as the children were recruited from single specialist centers.…”

Asociación del peso bajo al nacimiento con los componentes del síndrome metabólico en niños con obesidad

“…Existen diversos estudios que relacionan el PBN y desarrollo de SM en la infancia [15][16][17] . La identificación temprana de individuos con factores de riesgo, incluido el PBN para el desarrollo de SM, permitirá realizar intervenciones precoces para la prevención de una rápida ganancia de peso durante la infancia.…”

Biomarker of Stress, Metabolic Syndrome and Human Health

“…Children born large for gestational age predominated over those born small for gestational age. Birth weight had an independent effect on triglycerides and insulin resistance (two well-known biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk) during childhood, whereas obesity had a direct influence on hypertension, an impaired glucose metabolism, and hypertriglyceridemia [ 1 ].…”