Impact of Preterm Birth and Post-Discharge Growth on Cardiometabolic Outcomes at School Age: A Case Control Study
Abstract Background: Adverse metabolic outcomes later in life have been reported among children or young adults who were born small for gestational age. This study was conducted to examine the impact of preterm birth and subsequent growth after hospital discharge on cardiometabolic risks among early school-aged children. Methods: This case-control study included school-aged children born prematurely (n = 60) and at term (n = 110). Body size, fat mass, blood pressure (BP), glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, and lipid profiles were measured. Weight z-score changes between discharge and early school-age period were also calculated, and factors associated with BP and insulin resistance were analyzed.Results: Early school-aged children who were born preterm had lower fat masses, higher systolic BP and diastolic BP, and higher values of fasting glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), compared to children born at term. Preterm birth was correlated with HOMA-IR and BPs after adjusting for various factors, including fat mass index and weight z-score changes. Weight z-score changes were associated with HOMA-IR, but not with BPs. Conclusions: Although early school-aged children born prematurely showed lower weight and fat mass, they had higher BPs, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, and leptin levels. The associations of preterm birth with cardiometabolic factors were independent of weight, fat mass and weight gain velocity.