Metabolic syndrome components among children born small for gestational age: analysis of the first decade of life.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM OF THE STUDY

In children born small for gestational age (SGA), some of the metabolic syndrome (MS) components are observed. The goal of the study was an evaluation of the incidence of particular components of MS in 5-9-years-old SGA children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ninety-one prepubertal SGA children (34 boys and 57 girls) were qualified into the study, aged 4.78-9.75 yrs (6.9±1.37 yrs). In each child, the actual height, weight and waist circumference, as well as blood pressure were measured. Fasting triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol levels were assessed. Glucose and insulin concentrations were estimated at fasting state and during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). On the basis of the obtained results, BMI SDS, waist-to-height ratio and the insulin resistance indices (IRI), as defined by HOMA and Belfiore, were calculated.

RESULTS

Visceral obesity was diagnosed in 14 cases, out of which, 5 cases additionally presented with, at least, two other components of MS, while in 5 other cases, one component of MS was additionally confirmed, most frequently as arterial hypertension (HA). In all the analysed SGA children, normal glucose tolerance was observed. Insulin resistance was identified in 13 children, acc. to IRIBelfiore, but not in any child, acc. to IRIHOMA. HA was diagnosed in 30 (33%) prepubertal SGA children, emphasising the fact that its concomitance with visceral obesity was observed in a half of the cases only. Children with HA were taller and heavier, more frequently demonstrating insulin resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

In 5-9-year-old SGA children, a high frequency of particular diagnostic criteria for the MS is observed.