Korean J Pediatr.  2016 Jan;59(1):1-7. 10.3345/kjp.2016.59.1.1.

Catch-up growth and catch-up fat in children born small for gestational age

• Cho WK
• Suh BK

• KMID: 2152938
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2016.59.1.1

Abstract

Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) are at increased risk of perinatal morbidity, persistent short stature, and metabolic alterations in later life. Recent studies have focused on the association between birth weight (BW) and later body composition. Some reports suggest that fetal nutrition, as reflected by BW, may have an inverse programing effect on abdominal adiposity later in life. This inverse association between BW and abdominal adiposity in adults may contribute to insulin resistance. Rapid weight gain during infancy in SGA children seemed to be associated with increased fat mass rather than lean mass. Early catch-up growth after SGA birth rather than SGA itself has been noted as a cardiovascular risk factor in later life. Children who are born SGA also have a predisposition to accumulation of fat mass, particularly intra-abdominal fat. It is not yet clear whether this predisposition is due to low BW itself, rapid postnatal catch-up growth, or a combination of both. In this report, we review the published literature on central fat accumulation and metabolic consequences of being SGA, as well as the currently popular research area of SGA, including growth aspects.

Keyword

Small for gestational age infant; Birth weight; Abdominal obesity; Insulin resistance

MeSH Terms

Adiposity
Adult
Birth Weight
Body Composition
Child*
Gestational Age*
Humans
Infant
Insulin Resistance
Intra-Abdominal Fat
Obesity, Abdominal
Parturition
Risk Factors
Weight Gain