Prematurity and the Risk of Development of Childhood Obesity: Piecing Together the Pathophysiological Puzzle. A Literature Review

Abstract

One of the most devastating public health challenges in the twenty-first century is childhood obesity, and its prevalence is growing at a frightening rate. Premature infants have a greater likelihood of childhood obesity at age six to 16 compared to term infants. This study aims to explore the underlying mechanism of developing childhood obesity in this high-risk group. There are most likely multiple interconnected and supporting mechanisms that put this vulnerable population at risk of childhood obesity. Inflammation is a possible root cause. Prenatal causes included epigenetic changes as well as placental inflammation. Disturbances in hormonal pathways and elevated levels of serum bilirubin are possible explanations. Furthermore, preventable factors in the postnatal period were identified, such as weight gain and exclusive breastfeeding.The prevalence of childhood obesity in preterm infants is high; thus, it is essential to understand the pathophysiology and address any preventable factors to decrease this disease burden.

Personalized Nutrition with Banked Human Milk for Early Gut Microbiota Development: In Pursuit of the Perfect Match

“…Although numerous efforts are being conducted to improve the composition of formula milk, this type of feeding is associated with an increased risk of developing NEC, respiratory infections, asthma, obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease compared to exclusive breastfeeding [86,136]. Therefore, breastfeeding is the best choice for both full-term and preterm babies, in which breast milk has been shown to reduce the risk of sepsis [137], NEC [138] and retinopathy [77] in early life, but also the risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes later in life [139]. It even seems that breast milk improves the neurocognitive development of preterm babies [140].…”

Association between gut microbiota at 3.5 years of age and body mass index at 5 years: results from two French nationwide birth cohorts

“…Regarding the preterm population, data are sporadic with to date, two studies addressing the subject of gut microbiota and overweight/obesity (17,18). Therefore, there is a need to decipher the relations between the gut microbiota and the development of pediatric obesity and notably in the particular population of preterm children as some studies reported that they are at greater risk of developing childhood obesity (19,20).…”

Infant Nutrition and Other Early Life Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity According to Disability Status

“…These race/ethnic group disparities have been attributed, in part, to rapid weight gain during infancy [9]. Additionally, preterm birth and low birth weight have consistently been linked to higher rates of obesity and the development of other chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease, in adulthood [13][14][15].…”