Abstract
Context: Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. The development of insulin resistance (IR) seems to play a pivotal role; no data on the oxidant-antioxidant status are available in this risk group.
Objective: This study is an assessment of oxidant-antioxidant status in prepubertal children born small for gestational age (SGA) in comparison to healthy controls and the relationship to IR.
Design: This cross-sectional study compares indexes of IR and oxidant-antioxidant status in three different groups (SGA+, SGA−, controls), with analysis by post hoc and Pearson correlation.
Setting: The study was conducted in the Academic Department of Pediatrics.
Participants: A total of 19 SGA+ and 16 SGA− children were compared with 13 controls.
Intervention: No intervention was used.
Main Outcome Measures: Indexes of IR (glucose to insulin ratio, homeostasis model assessment of IR) were evaluated, and markers of oxidative stress (lag phase, malonildialdehyde, vitamin E) were measured.
Results: Homeostasis model assessment of IR was significantly higher in SGA+ than SGA− children (1.32 ± 0.9 vs. 0.69 ± 0.47; P = 0.03) and controls (0.71 ± 0.37; P = 0.04). Glucose to insulin ratio was significantly lower in SGA+ than SGA− children (12.41 ± 5.01 vs. 26.54 ± 17.18; P = 0.02) and controls (26.96 ± 20.70; P = 0.04). Lag phase was significantly shorter in SGA+ than SGA− children (24.3 ± 4.38 vs. 35.59 ± 11.29 min; P = 0.003) and controls (45.28 ± 7.69 min; P = 0.0001) and in SGA− than controls (P = 0.01). Malonildialdehyde was significantly higher in SGA+ than SGA− children (0.79 ± 0.3 vs. 0.6 ± 0.1 nmol/mg; P = 0.03) and controls (0.36 ± 0.04 nmol/mg; P = 0.0001) and in SGA− children than controls (P = 0.02). Vitamin E was significantly reduced in SGA+ children than controls (27.54 ± 7.9 vs. 43.23 ± 11.32 μmol/liter; P = 0.002).
Conclusion: Oxidative stress is present in both SGA+ and SGA− children, with a continuous alteration in relation to IR. Therefore, catch-up growth might exert the greatest influence in the development of future diseases.
-Cell Capacity and Insulin Sensitivity in Prepubertal Children Born Small for Gestational Age: Influence of Body Size During Childhood
