Abstract
BackgroundUnderstanding associated risk for obesity is a prerequisite to develop early life interventions to arrest the increasing epidemic of metabolic syndrome and obesity among preterm born children and adolescents.FindingsA retrospective review of 160 charts was conducted to determine the associated risk of being obese during childhood and adolescent period in preterm children. Birth weight, gestational age, weight gain, demographics, maternal health, socioeconomics, and clinical factors during early neonatal life were evaluated. The number of obese children increased with age and was observed more in the adolescent population. Obese children were significantly heavier at age 24 months old compared to their peers (p = 0.001). Analysis of associated risk for maternal demographics, maternal age, maternal marital status or race, prenatal factors, maternal substance abuse or diabetes, neonatal factors, weight for gestational age or birth weight did not show any statistically significant risk for future obesity. Duration of gestational age (OR 1.6; p = 0.017) and heavier birth weight (OR 3.2; p = 0.001) were associated with risk of obesity.ConclusionAmong preterm born babies in the study, the highest risk of developing excessive weight during childhood and adolescent periods are babies born at more advanced gestational age. Strong positive association was found between birth weight and body weight in childhood. By 24 months old, there was a distinguished group of toddlers, who were heavier than their peers and remained with excessive weight as they got older. Primary care pediatricians should draw attention to premature babies, overweight infants and toddlers.
Highlights
Understanding associated risk for obesity is a prerequisite to develop early life interventions to arrest the increasing epidemic of metabolic syndrome and obesity among preterm born children and adolescents
Among preterm born babies in the study, the highest risk of developing excessive weight during childhood and adolescent periods are babies born at more advanced gestational age
Strong positive association was found between birth weight and body weight in childhood
Summary
Understanding associated risk for obesity is a prerequisite to develop early life interventions to arrest the increasing epidemic of metabolic syndrome and obesity among preterm born children and adolescents. A consistent body of evidence demonstrates that being overweight or obese in childhood and adolescence has adverse consequences on overall health and leads to premature mortality and increased physical morbidity in adulthood [6]. Low birth weight (LBW) premature infants demonstrate growth patterns in the early years of their life (catch up growth) which differ from those of large for gestational age (LGA) term and preterm peers, who do not experience that steep weight gain [7,8]. Primary care pediatricians and registered dietitians have a leading role in understanding the associated risk factors and initiating early intervention including, diet modification and diet regimen adjustments to provide essential care for the lifelong well-being of premature children
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