[Metabolic changes in prepuberty children with extrauterine growth restriction].

INTRODUCTION

Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) is associated with severe nutritional deficit during the first weeks of life, which, as intrauterine growth restriction, may lead to metabolic anomalies in later stages of life.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A group of 38 prepuberty children with a history of EUGR were selected, along with a control group of 123 children with similar age and gender. Perinatal stage was assessed in the EUGR group. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, serum biochemical markers of carbohydrate metabolism, and lipid profile were measured in both groups.

RESULTS

The EUGR group had height and body mass index values significantly lower than in the control group (P<.001) and higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P<.001). The majority (70%) of EUGR children were below the 50th percentile for weight and height, and 55% were below the 25th percentile for body mass index (P<.001), as well as 46% and 37% above the 95% percentile for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively (P<.001). The EUGR group had higher glucose levels (P<.001) and lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) (P<.001) than the control group, although without clinical relevance.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with a history of EUGR have anthropometric, blood pressure and metabolic alterations in the prepuberty stage. It would be desirable to control the nutrition they receive in the perinatal period, and follow them up in childhood as alterations may occur in the future.