1206 Are Elbv Infants at Risk for Developing Atypical Metabolic Syndrome?

Abstract

Background: Childhood metabolic syndrome increases the risk of cardiovascular complications in adulthood. Being born small for gestational age is an important risk factor of adulthood metabolic syndrome, however it is unclear whether ELBW children are also at increased risk for metabolic syndrome.Aim: Assessment of lipid metabolism in preschool ELBW infants in correlation with obesity and hypertension.Material and Methods: 40 ELBW children (mean birthweight 869g (SD:121), mean gestational age 27.6 weeks (SD: 1.9)) were evaluated at 6.7 years (range 6.3-7.4 years). Anthropometry, serum triglyceride (TG), LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, IGF-1 serum levels and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements were performed.Results: TG >= 1.1 mmol/l was found in 16 infants (40%) and HDL cholesterol levels < 1.3 mmol/l in 10 (25%). Combined lipid abnormalities were detected in 6 (15%) children. Systolic blood pressure above the 90th percentile was found in 10 children, and diastolic in 7 children. The mean standard deviation score (SDS) of weight/height ratio was -0.45 (range:-1.8 to 1.2 SDS) and mean SDS of fat fold thickness was -1,04 (range: -2.6 to 1.1 SDS). None of the examined children was obese (mean BMI: 14.9; range 10.9-20.1). Serum IGF-1 levels were within normal limits in all children.Conclusions: Lipids abnormalities and increased blood pressure are common in preschool ELBW infants, although the children examined were slimmer than their peers. It may be speculated that ELBW might be a risk factor for atypical metabolic syndrome not related to obesity.Project supported by Polish Ministry of Science (NN407170734).