Is the association between birthweight and height attainment independent of the confounding effect of ethnic and socioeconomic factors?

The association between birthweight and body height attainment at 17 years of age was investigated by studying a sample of 30,083 subjects born in Jerusalem between 1964 and 1971. Birthweights obtained from the computerized records of the Jerusalem Perinatal Study were matched with demographic and medical examination results available from the military draft boards. Linear regression models for standing height by birthweight were fitted for the data in order to adjust for the possible confounding effect of ethnic origin, socioeconomic status (as determined by parental education level), birth order and maternal age. Separate models were constructed for each sex. A significant (P < 0.0001) linear increase in standing height by birthweight of 3.33 cm/1,000 g was observed for the males (mean +/- SE height 174.5 +/- 0.1 cm) and 2.85 cm/1,000 g for the females (mean +/- SE height 163.5 +/- 0.1 cm). This positive linear association between body height at 17 years of age and birthweight was also demonstrated after stratification according to various categories of social class and ethnic origin. Adult body height was thus found to be strongly related to birthweight in both sexes, regardless of ethnic and socioeconomic influences.