Catch-down Growth Research Articles

Growth Status of Full-Term Infants with Different Sizes for Gestational Age During the First Year of Life.

This study aimed to assess the growth of full-term infants with different sizes at birth and examine catch-up and catch-down growth in their first year. This retrospective population-based cohort study was based on the Guangdong Provincial Women and Children Health Information System. 194797 full-term singleton live births were extracted. Measurements for weight and length were taken at birth, 6 months, and 12 months. The size-for-gestational age was categorized as small (SGA, <10th centile), appropriate (AGA, 10th-90th centiles), or large (LGA, >90th centile) based on the international newborn size for gestational age and sex INTERGROWTH-21st standards. Catch-up and catch- down growth were defined as a change in standard deviation in z-score greater than 0.67 in the growth curves. Of the 194797 full-term singletons, the average gestational age was 39.28 ± 1.03 weeks, and the average weight of the newborns was 3205 ± 383 grams. 15632 infants were identified as SGA (8.0%) and 12756 were LGA (6.5%). At 1 year of age, catch-up growth in weight was observed in 63.0% of SGA infants, 29.5% of AGA infants, and 5.4% of LGA infants. Conversely, catch-down growth occurred in 3.3% of SGA infants, 17.8% of AGA infants, and 54.7% of LGA infants. The proportions of catch-up growth in length for SGA, AGA, and LGA infants within the first year were 31.4%, 22.5%, and 17.1%, respectively. Catch-up or catch-down growth predominantly occurred before 6 months of age. However, from 6 to 12 months, there was no significant variation in WAZ among children with different birth sizes. In their first year of life, full-term singleton live births tend towards regression to the mean in their postnatal weight and length. The average delay in the growth of LGA is compensated by an increase in it of the SGA. Early monitoring and intervention are crucial for optimizing growth in infants with different birth sizes.

Associations between infant growth and pubertal onset timing in a multiethnic prospective cohort of girls

BackgroundEarly puberty increases risk of adverse health conditions throughout the life course. US girls are experiencing earlier puberty without clear reasons. Studies suggest early life factors, such as infant growth, may influence pubertal timing. We assessed the associations between infant growth and onset of breast development (thelarche), pubic hair development (pubarche), and menarche in girls.MethodsA prospective cohort of girls born at a Kaiser Permanente Northern California medical facility in 2005–11 was used. Weight-for-age z-scores were calculated at birth and 24 months. Difference in z-scores greater than 0.67 represent rapid “catch-up” growth, less than -0.67 represent delayed “catch-down” growth, and between -0.67 and 0.67 represent “normal” growth. Pubertal onset was measured using clinician-assessed sexual maturity ratings (SMRs) and defined as the age at transition from SMR 1 to SMR 2 + for both thelarche and pubarche. SMR data was collected through June 2020. Menarche was analyzed as a secondary outcome. Weibull and modified Poisson regression models were used. Models were adjusted for potential confounders.ResultsThere were 15,196 girls included in the study. Approximately 30.2% experienced catch-up growth, 25.8% experienced catch-down growth, and 44% had normal growth. Girls with catch-up growth had increased risk of earlier thelarche (hazard ratio = 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18, 1.35), pubarche (1.38, 95% CI: 1.28, 1.48), and menarche (< 12y, relative risk = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.36, 1.69) compared to those with normal growth, after adjusting for covariates. These associations were partially mediated by childhood body mass index. Catch-down growth was associated with later pubertal onset.ConclusionsGirls who experience infant catch-up growth have higher risk of earlier pubertal development compared to girls with normal growth and the associations are partially explained by childhood obesity. This information may help clinicians to monitor girls who are at high risk of developing earlier.

Relationship between Birth Weight, Early Growth Rate, and Body Composition in 5- to 7-Year-Old Children

Background: Programing of body composition during intrauterine growth may contribute to the higher risk for cardio-metabolic disease in individuals born small or large for gestational age (SGA, LGA). Compensations of intrauterine growth by catch-up or catch-down postnatal growth may lead to adverse consequences like a thin-fat phenotype. Methods: The impact of (i) birth weight as well as (ii) the interaction between birth weight and catch-up or catch-down growth during the first 2 years of life on fat-free mass index (FFMI) and fat mass index (FMI) in 3,204 5–7-year-old children were investigated using Hattori’s body composition chart. Body composition results were compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA) birth weight with the same body mass index (BMI). Results: In total, 299 children at age 5–7 years were categorized as SGA, 2,583 as AGA, and 322 as LGA. When compared to AGA-children, BMI at 5–7 years of age was higher in LGA-children (15.5 vs. 16.2 kg/m²; p < 0.001) but not different in SGA-children. Compared to AGA with the same BMI, LGA was associated with higher FMI and a lower FFMI in 5–7-year-old girls. This phenotype was also seen for both sexes with catch-down growth during the first 2 years of life whereas catch-up growth prevented the higher FMI and lower FFMI per BMI. By contrast, SGA was associated with a higher FFMI and lower FMI in 5–7-year-old boys compared to AGA boys with the same BMI. This phenotype was also seen with catch-down growth in both genders whereas catch-up growth in girls led to more gain in FMI per BMI. Conclusion: LGA with a compensatory catch-down postnatal growth may be a risk factor for the development of disproportionate gain in fat over lean mass whereas SGA with a catch-down postnatal growth seems to favor the subsequent accretion of lean over fat mass. A higher propensity of lean mass accretion during postnatal growth in boys compared to girls explains sex differences in these phenotypes.

The association between growth patterns and blood pressure in children and adolescents: A cross-sectional study of seven provinces in China.

Aimed to investigate the associations between different growth patterns with high blood pressure, and further examine the mediation effect of BMI between growth patterns and high blood pressure among children and adolescents. A total of 31581 children and adolescents aged 7–18 years were selected based on the stratified cluster sampling method. Logistics regression models were used to calculate the odds rations (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of the association between different growth patterns and high blood pressure. Mediation effect analyses were applied to estimate the effect of BMI on the increase of blood pressure levels in different growth patterns. In different sex and ages, compared to reference group of normal growth, blood pressure levels and prevalence of high blood pressure of the catch‐up growth were higher, but that of the catch‐down growth were lower. The prevalence of high blood pressure was 11.69%, 16.06%, and 9.68% in normal growth, catch‐up growth, and catch‐down growth, respectively. In total, compared with the normal growth pattern, the ORs (95%CI) of high blood pressure, high systolic blood pressure and high diastolic blood pressure in the catch‐up growth were 1.171(1.073,1.280), 1.110(1.001,1.230) and 1.141(1.025,1.270) (p < .05), respectively. Additionally, the mediation effect of current BMI existed in the association between blood pressure levels and different growth patterns, particularly in boys. Our findings suggested that different growth patterns after birth could modify blood pressure, and the potential risks of high blood pressure could be increased by catch‐up growth at childhood and adolescence.

Catch-down growth in infants born large for gestational age.

Infants born large for gestational age (LGA) not exhibiting catch-down growth (a decline of weight z-score by 1) have a higher likelihood of future obesity. We aimed to identify the term LGA infants in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and document nutrition interventions that may influence growth. Our 10-year retrospective review identified 47 term LGA infants who had a NICU length of stay (LOS) ≥7 days. We obtained demographic data, nutrition interventions in the NICU, and data regarding growth patterns. Of the 47 infants, 31 (66%), demonstrated catch-down growth at discharge at ≥7 days. Overall, 39 of 47 patients (83%) received interventions during their NICU stay, including 32 (69%) who had nasogastric tubes placed, and 24 (51%) had formula fortification to augment weight gain. Among patients with LOS ≥14 days, 23 of 23 patients without catch-down growth and four of five patients with catch-down growth had nutrition interventions performed. Of the overall population, only 38% of those who did not demonstrate catch-down growth had an LOS of ≥14 days vs 77% of all infants that did exhibit catch-down growth (P = .01). Our data suggest that nutrition interventions in LGA infants are common in the NICU. Our study highlights the need for further clinical studies to help direct care in this population of infants.

Prevention of Growth Failure in Turner Syndrome: Long-Term Results of Early Growth Hormone Treatment in the “Toddler Turner” Cohort

Introduction: In the randomized “Toddler Turner” study, girls who received growth hormone (GH) starting at ages 9 months to 4 years (early-treated [ET] group) had marked catch-up growth and were 1.6 ± 0.6 SD taller than untreated (early-untreated [EUT]) control girls after 2 years. However, whether the early catch-up growth would result in greater near-adult height (NAH) was unknown. Therefore, this extension study examined the long-term effects of toddler-age GH treatment on height, pubertal development, and safety parameters. Methods: Toddler Turner study participants were invited to enroll in a 10-year observational extension study for annual assessments of growth, pubertal status, and safety during long-term GH treatment to NAH for both ET and EUT groups. Results: The ET group was taller than the EUT group at all time points from preschool to maturity and was significantly taller at the onset of puberty (p = 0.016), however, the difference was not significant at NAH. For the full cohort (ET + EUT combined, n = 50) mean (± SD) NAH was 151.2 ± 7.1 cm at age 15.0 ± 1.3 years. NAH standard deviation score (SDS) was within the normal range (>−2.0) for 76% of ET and 60% of EUT subjects (68% overall) and correlated strongly with height SDS at GH start (r = 0.78; p < 0.01), which in turn had a modest inverse correlation with age at GH start (i.e., height SDS declined with increasing age in untreated girls [r = −0.30; p = 0.016]). No new safety concerns arose. Conclusion: Although the ET group was taller throughout, height SDS at NAH was not significantly different between groups due to catch-down growth of ET girls during lapses in GH treatment after the Toddler study and similar long-term GH exposure overall. Early initiation of GH by age 6 years, followed by uninterrupted treatment during childhood, can prevent ongoing growth failure and enable attainment of height within the normal range during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

A systematic review indicates an association between birth weight and body fat in childhood.

To summarise the existing evidence regarding the body fat of small or large for gestation subjects, evaluated from birth up to 18years of age. The PRISMA guidelines were adopted for the current systematic review, including studies having evaluated body fat with bioelectrical impedance analysis, air displacement plethysmography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or magnetic resonance imaging. A total of 31 studies was included. The balance of evidence suggests that small for gestation infants have decreased fat mass at birth; postnatally they experience increased adiposity. In the long term, however, the evidence is inconclusive, since some studies suggest that foetal-restricted children with increased catch-up growth are at increased risk of fat accumulation, whereas other studies suggest a neutral or even negative association. Large for gestation infants have increased fat mass at birth, but in the long term, they have a lower body fat ratio, especially when they develop a catch-down growth. Some studies suggested that foetal-restricted children with increased catch-up growth are at increased risk of later adiposity, while other studies suggested a neutral or negative association. Given that the evidence is inconclusive, further studies are warranted. Large for gestation subjects have lower body fat when they develop catch-down growth.

Catch-up and Catch-down Growth in Term Healthy Indian Infants From Birth to Two Years: A Prospective Cohort Study

Catch-up in the first two years of life may help in reducing the growth deficit. To study growth pattern of term infants from birth to 2 years, focusing on catch-up and catch-down growth (increase or decrease in z-score >0.67) in weight and length. Prospective birth cohort. 262 healthy term infants with birthweight 1800-4000 g. Serial assessment of anthropometric parameters at birth, 3.5 month, 1 year and 2 year of age. Proportion, timing and determinants of catch-up and catch-down growth. Weight catch-up between birth to 3.5 mo, 1 y, and 2 y was seen in 18%, 41% and 38%; and weight catch-down in 27%, 25% and 23%, respectively. Between birth and 2 y, change in weight z-score was inversely related to birthweight (b -3.754, P<0.001) and directly to caloric intake at 2 y (b 0.003, P<0.001). Mean (SD) birthweights of infants with catch-up, steady growth and catch-down were 2.6 (0.4), 2.9 (0.4) and 3.1 (0.4) kg, respectively (P<0.001). Catch-up and catch-down in length between birth and 2 y were present in 30% and 33% of the infants, respectively. Length z-scores at 2 y but not at birth were positively correlated with mothers' (r=0.21, P=0.002) and fathers' height (r=0.22, P=0.001). Nearly two-thirds of healthy term infants experienced either catch-up or catch-down in weight and length first 2 years of life. Infants' birthweight and length at birth, caloric intake, and parents' heights are important determinants of their growth patterns.

Overweight during lactation and its implications for biometric, nutritional and cardiovascular parameters of young and adult male and female rats.

Litter size reduction can induce early overnourishment, being an attractive experimental model to study short- and long-term consequences of childhood obesity. Epidemiological data indicate sex differences regarding cardiometabolic disorders and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The present study aimed to describe biometric, nutritional and cardiovascular changes related to neonatal overweight promoted by litter size reduction in young and adult Wistar rats of both sexes. Litter adjustment to eight or four pups/mother (1:1 male-to-female ratio) gave, respectively, control and overweight groups. Body mass, food intake, haemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters and cardiorespiratory capacity were evaluated at postnatal days 30 and 150. Diminished litters were correlated with higher body mass and weight gain (12 %) during lactation, validating the experimental model of neonatal overweight. Soon after weaning male (16 %) and female (25 %) offspring of these litters presented a lower food intake than their respective control, without differences in body mass. Adult males from reduced litters presented higher abdominal circumference (7 %), systolic blood pressure (10 %), interventricular septum thickness (15 %) and relative wall thickness (15 %) compared with their respective control. Rats' performance on the maximal effort ergometer test was not affected by neonatal overweight. Data suggest the occurrence of catch-down growth and hypophagia in male and female rats submitted to neonatal overweight. However, only male rats presented haemodynamic and cardiac structural changes. These findings are crucial to personalised/gender medicine.

Dynamic Alterations in Linear Growth and Endocrine Parameters in Children with Obesity Compared to Normal-Weight Children from Infancy to Adolescence

Background: Obesity can affect growth and development of children but there is uncertainty regarding the dynamics and potential causes. We assessed the growth dynamics of children with obesity from infancy to adolescence and evaluated associated endocrine and metabolic changes. Methods: In the population-based LIFE Child and the obesity-enriched Leipzig Obesity Childhood Cohorts encompassing 7,961 children (35,134 measurements), we compared (parental-height-corrected) height, growth velocities and serum hormone levels between normal-weight and children with obesity aged 0 to 20 years. Findings: Children with obesity were significantly taller than normal-weight children, independently of parental height, reaching a maximum difference of 7·6 cm at age 6-7 years. Already at birth, children with obesity were up to 0·5 cm taller and had slightly increased growth velocities of up to 0·9 cm/y (+1·1 SDS) in early childhood. During puberty, children with obesity showed a catch-down in height, with an almost blunted growth spurt particularly in boys. The reduction in pubertal growth velocity by 30% coincided with a decrease in levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (by 17%) and testosterone (by 61%) in boys, as well as with reductions in estradiol (by 44%) in girls with obesity. Interpretation: Children with obesity are taller in early childhood with catch-down growth in puberty. The blunted pubertal growth spurt is paralleled by reduced serum levels of IGF-1 and sex hormones. Funding: German Research Foundation, European Union, European Regional Development Fund, Free State of Saxony, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology. Declaration of Interest: The authors have nothing to declare. Ethical Approval: The study was approved by the ethics committee of the University of Leipzig (NCT02550236, NCT02208141, NCT01605123).

Excessive Weight Gain Followed by Catch-Down in Exclusively Breastfed Infants: An Exploratory Study.

Some infants experience excessive weight gain (EWG) during exclusive breastfeeding, but causes and consequences are unknown. The objective was to identify factors associated with early EWG. Infants with EWG (HW-group) were examined at 5, 9 and 18 mo and compared to a breastfed group with normal weight gain (NW-group). Anthropometry, body composition, milk and blood samples, and milk intake were measured. Mean body-mass-index-for-age z-scores (BAZ) increased 1.93 from birth to 5 mo in the HW-group (n = 13) while the NW-group (n = 17) was unchanged (−0.01). The HW-group had 70% more fat mass at 5 mo, and then showed marked catch-down in BAZ from 5 to 18 mo (−0.84). Milk intake at 5–6 mo did not differ between the groups. In the HW-group milk-leptin was lower at 5 mo and serum-leptin was considerably higher at 5 and 9 mo compared to the NW-group. Serum-leptin at 5 mo was positively associated with weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) and fat mass and negatively with WAZ change from 5 to 9 mo. In conclusion, breastfed infants with EWG had catch-down growth when other foods were introduced. Low milk-leptin in the HW-group may have stimulated appetite and milk intake when weight gain was high. High serum-leptin in the HW-group suggests early leptin resistance, which could impact cerebral regulation of energy intake. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.

The Relationship Between Early Weight Z-Score Changes and Nutritional Differences in Very Low Birth Weight Infants During Hospital Stay

Background: Advances in neonatal care have resulted in improved survival for very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs). However, the main factors that lead to early weight Z-score [standard deviation score (SDS)] changes during hospital stay in VLBWIs still need to be studied more. Objectives: In this study we aimed to investigate the differences in specific factors that relate to VLBWIs’ early weight Z-score changes as the scientific basis for clinical practice of VLBWIs during the entire hospital stay. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed baseline characteristics, nutrition management, clinical outcomes, and complications between non-catch-down (NCD) (Δ weight SDS ≥ -0.67) and catch-down (CD) groups (Δ weight SDS < -0.67) in VLBWIs during hospital stay. Results: A total of 227 infants (NCD group = 117, CD group = 110) met the inclusion criteria. No significant differences were found in baseline characteristics between the two groups. The NCD group received higher parenteral lipids (g/kg/d) from day 5 to day 7 and higher enteral feeding volume (mL/kg/d) from day 5 to week 5. The NCD group had higher protein:energy ratios at day 2 to day 4 and day 7 and higher total energy (kcal/kg/d) during the first six weeks. The NCD group had lower incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis (PNAC). Conclusions: This study showed that adequate parenteral lipid and energy at the first week of life and earlier enhanced enteral feeding volume might significantly improve the VLBWIs’ weight Z-scores during hospital stay. The VLBWIs with catch-down growth might be more prone to developing BPD and PNAC.

Childhood Health Outcomes in Term, Large-for-Gestational-Age Babies With Different Postnatal Growth Patterns.

Large-for-gestational-age (LGA) babies have a higher risk of metabolic disease later in life, and their postnatal growth in early childhood may be associated with long-term adverse outcomes. This study aimed to determine childhood health outcomes of term LGA babies with different growth patterns. Data were obtained from the US Collaborative Perinatal Project for the years between 1959 and 1976. The growth trajectories of 3,316 term LGA babies were identified and odds ratios of obesity, growth restriction, low intelligence quotient (IQ), and high blood pressure (HBP) were calculated by logistic regression. Compared with term appropriate-for-gestational-age infants, term LGA babies without catch-down growth had increased risks of obesity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 6.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.24, 7.73) and HBP (aOR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.37, 2.03). Those with high catch-down growth had higher risks of growth restriction (aOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.66, 2.95) and low IQ (aOR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.49). Nevertheless, infants with small catch-down growth had lower risks of obesity (aOR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.63, 0.95), growth restriction (aOR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.46), low IQ (aOR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.41, 1.06), and HBP (aOR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.77, 1.04). According to our data, term LGA infants with small catch-down growth had no increased risks of adverse outcomes.

Fetal and Postnatal Head Circumference Growth: Synergetic Factors for Neurodevelopmental Outcome at 2 Years of Age for Preterm Infants

: Preterm infants present higher risk of non-optimal neurodevelopmental outcome. Fetal and postnatal growth, in particular head circumference (HC), is associated with neurodevelopmental outcome. Objectives: We aimed to calculate the relationship between HC at birth, HC delta Z-score (between birth and hospital discharge), and non-optimal neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of corrected age in preterm infants. Methods: Surviving infants born ≤34 weeks of gestation were included in the analysis. The relationship between the risk of being non-optimal at 2 years and both HC at birth and HC growth was assessed. The 2 Z-scores were considered first independently and then simultaneously to investigate their effect on the risk of non-optimality using a generalized additive model. Results: A total of 4,046 infants with both HC measures at birth and hospital discharge were included. Infants with small HC at birth (Z-score <-2 SD), or presenting suboptimal HC growth (dZ-score <-2 SD), are at higher risk of non-optimal neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years (respectively OR 1.7 [95% CI 1.4-2] and OR 1.4 [95% CI 1.2-1.8]). Interestingly, patients cumulating small HC Z-score at birth (-2 SD) and presenting catch-down growth (HC dZ-score [-2 SD]) have a significantly increased risk for neurocognitive impairment (OR >2) while adjusting for gestational age, twin status, sex, and socioeconomic information. Conclusions: HC at birth and HC dZ-score between birth and hospital discharge are synergistically associated to neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of corrected age, in a population-based prospective cohort of preterm infants born ≤34 weeks of gestation.

Effect of Post-Natal Catch-Down and Feeding Practices on Auxology, Body Composition and Muscle Function in Children Born Large-For-Gestational-Age

Background: High birth-weight and supernormal postnatal weight gain increases the risk of obesity. Breastfeeding and postnatal Catch-down growth in children born large-for-gestational-age (LGA) might be protective. Methods: 101 LGA-children of mothers without gestational diabetes were included; 60 breastfed. Auxology and muscle function were examined at 8.0yrs (range, 4.3-12.1). Data were analysed in relation to birth-weight and/or - length, to catch-down growth, and to feeding practices. Results: A strong familiarity (44% LGA-siblings; 31 LGA-mothers (38.8%); 21 LGA-fathers (34.4%)) and a positive correlation to mother’s birth weight-SDS (r: 0.23, p=0.042) and -length (r: 0.25, p=0.027) were found. Postnatal catch-down growth was found in 88% (89/101) with no difference regarding to feeding practices. At school age mean BMI-SDS was normal but height-SDS remained significantly higher than target height-SDS. Those 12% without postnatal catch-down were significantly taller and heavier, had higher skinfold-SDS and waistcircumference- SDS than those with catch-down growth- irrespective of feeding practice. Muscle function was below average in formerly heavy but normal in those solely long LGA-infants. Conclusion: Irrespective of feeding practice the majority of LGA-children showed catch-down growth. However catch-down growth did not lead to a complete normalization of auxologic parameters. Importantly in those without postnatal catch-down growth higher indices for fatness were observed.

Effect of Intra- and Extrauterine Growth on Long-Term Neurologic Outcomes of Very Preterm Infants

To determine whether extrauterine growth is associated with neurologic outcomes and if this association varies by prenatal growth profile. For 1493 preterms from the EPIPAGE (Étude Épidémiologique sur les Petits Âges Gestationnels [Epidemiological Study on Small Gestational Ages]) cohort, appropriate for gestational-age (AGA) was defined by birth weight >-2 SD and small for gestational-age (SGA) by birth weight ≤-2 SD. Extra-uterine growth was defined by weight gain or loss between birth and 6months by z-score change. Growth following-the-curve (FTC) was defined as weight change -1 to +1 SD, catch-down-growth (CD) as weight loss ≥1 SD, and catch-up-growth (CU) as weight gain ≥1 SD. At 5years, a complete medical examination (n=1305) and cognitive evaluation with the Kauffman Assessment Battery for Children (n=1130) were performed. Behavioral difficulties at 5years and school performance at 8years were assessed (n=1095). Overall, 42.5% of preterms were AGA-FTC, 20.2% AGA-CD, 17.1% AGA-CU, 5.6% SGA-FTC, and 14.5% SGA-CU. Outcomes did not differ between CU and FTC preterm AGA infants. Risk of cerebral palsy was greater for AGA-CD compared with AGA-FTC (aOR 2.26 [95% CI 1.37-3.72]). As compared with children with SGA-CU, SGA-FTC children showed no significant increased risk of cognitive deficiency (aOR 1.41[0.94-2.12]) or school difficulties (aOR 1.60 [0.84-3.03]). Compared with AGA-FTC, SGA showed increased risk of cognitive deficiency (SGA-FTC aOR 2.19 [1.25-3.84]) and inattention-hyperactivity (SGA-CU aOR 1.65 [1.05-2.60]). Deficient postnatal growth was associated with poor neurologic outcome for AGA and SGA preterm infants. CU growth does not add additional benefits. Regardless of type of postnatal growth, SGA infants showed behavioral problems and cognitive deficiency.

BMI, body fat and waist-to-height ratio of stunted v. non-stunted Indian children: a case-control study.

To compare the BMI, body fat and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) of stunted and non-stunted children following different growth trajectories from low socio-economic strata in Mumbai, India. Cross-sectional, case-control study. Weight, height, skinfold thicknesses and waist circumference were measured. Information regarding the duration of breast-feeding, age at initiation of complementary feeding and income was obtained. Birth weight was obtained from records. BMI, body fat, WHtR and change in weight sd were calculated. Children who were beneficiaries of anganwadis, Mumbai city, India. Three hundred and thirty children aged 2-4 years were selected in each of the stunted and non-stunted groups after matching for age and sex. After adjusting for birth weight, change in weight sd, duration of breast-feeding, age at complementary feeding initiation and income, stunted children had significantly higher body fat, WHtR and BMI than the non-stunted (P<0·01). The stunted and non-stunted children were classified based on their change in weight sd. Stunted children with no change in weight sd had higher mean body fat, BMI (P<0·01) and WHtR (P<0·05) than their non-stunted counterparts. In the catch-up growth group, stunted children had higher BMI and WHtR than the non-stunted (both P<0·001). In the catch-down growth group, stunted children had higher BMI than the non-stunted (P<0·001). Stunting was seen to increase the tendency of conserving body fat in young children. Such a tendency, if continued during later childhood and adolescence, can increase the risk of obesity and non-communicable diseases.

Early growth patterns are associated with intelligence quotient scores in children born small-for-gestational age

ObjectiveTo assess whether patterns of growth trajectory during infancy are associated with intelligence quotient (IQ) scores at 4years of age in children born small-for-gestational age (SGA). MethodsChildren in the Collaborative Perinatal Project born SGA were eligible for analysis. The primary outcome was the Stanford–Binet IQ score at 4years of age. Growth patterns were defined based on changes in weight-for-age z-scores from birth to 4months and 4 to 12months of age and consisted of steady, early catch-up, late catch-up, constant catch-up, early catch-down, late catch-down, constant catch-down, early catch-up & late catch-down, and early catch-down & late catch-up. Multivariate linear regression was used to assess associations between patterns of growth and IQ. ResultsWe evaluated patterns of growth and IQ in 5640 children. Compared with children with steady growth, IQ scores were 2.9 [standard deviation (SD)=0.54], 1.5 (SD=0.63), and 2.2 (SD=0.9) higher in children with early catch-up, early catch-up and later catch-down, and constant catch-up growth patterns, respectively, and 4.4 (SD=1.4) and 3.9 (SD=1.5) lower in children with early catch-down & late catch-up, and early catch-down growth patterns, respectively. ConclusionsPatterns in weight gain before 4months of age were associated with differences in IQ scores at 4years of age, with children with early catch-up having slightly higher IQ scores than children with steady growth and children with early catch-down having slightly lower IQ scores. These findings have implications for early infant nutrition in children born SGA.

Lifecourse Adiposity and Blood Pressure Between Birth and 17 Years Old.

Childhood obesity creates a predisposition to develop adult hypertension and diabetes. We have identified distinct childhood adiposity trajectories associated with increased insulin resistance in early adolescence. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between these adiposity trajectories with childhood blood pressure (BP) development. Adiposity trajectories were previously developed by semiparametric modeling using serial anthropometry from birth to age 14 from the West Australian Pregnancy Cohort. The association between these trajectories and the prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension in 17 year olds was assessed by logistic regression. The relationship between adiposity trajectories and lifecourse BP was then assessed using linear mixed modeling. The study includes 1,023 adolescents with BP measured at age 17 years. Three of 7 childhood adiposity trajectories (with accelerating adiposity) previously related to increased insulin resistance were associated with an increased risk of 17-year-old prehypertension or hypertension, compared to a referent trajectory of "stable average adiposity" (odds ratio (OR) = 2.9, P = 0.007; OR = 3.5, P < 0.001; and OR = 1.8, P = 0.041). One decelerating adiposity trajectory from high birth size was associated with significant interactions with age terms (P values = 0.025-0.084 and 0.011-0.027), indicating an altered slope and therefore, relative decline in lifecourse BP compared to the reference adiposity trajectory. Adiposity trajectories (which comprise 27% of the population) were associated with an increased risk of hypertension/prehypertension in adolescence. Higher BP was detectable as early as 3 years old. Consequently, targeting fat loss (catch-down growth) in the preschool years may prevent the development of hypertension and related metabolic disorders.

A Longitudinal Study on the Catch-Up Growth of Preterm and Term Infants of Low, Appropriate, and High Birth Weight

The purpose of present study was to explore the trajectories of growth of preterm and term infants of low, high, and appropriate birth weight. A total of 2465 infants were recruited from 2005 to 2007. Infants' length and weight were measured at 12 points: birth, 42 days, and monthly from 3 to 12 months. The catch-up growth of preterm infants, measured by weight or length of chronological age, occurred from 10th or 12th month of their lives. After adjusted gestational age, preterm infants' weight and length were caught-up from the adjusted birthday, overweight/over-length even occurred from 10th/11th month. For low birth weight term infants, catch-up growth was not found when using single weight or length. The ponderal index catch-up growth occurred earlier than measured by single weight or length. The catch-down growth of high birth weight term infants was not found in the first year of their lives.