Catch-up growth in females born short for gestational age reduces the risk of giving birth to short-for-gestational-age infants.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to study the effect of catch-up growth on the offspring's length at birth among females born short for gestational age.


METHODS
Data of 1,363 females born short for gestational age (<-2 standard deviation scores) were obtained from the Swedish Birth Register. The females were included in the register both as babies and mothers. The effect of catch-up growth on the offspring's birth length was studied.


RESULTS
Short adult stature was associated with a threefold increase in the risk of giving birth to a short infant [OR 3.08 (CI 1.73-5.50)] and smoking increased the risk in a dose-dependent manner. Overweight was associated with a reduced risk [OR 0.46 (CI 0.22-0.96)] of giving birth to a short infant.


CONCLUSIONS
Catch-up growth to normal adult stature among women born short for gestational age is associated with a reduced risk of giving birth to a short-for-gestational-age infant.
Lundgren
E M
EM
Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Maria.Lundgren@bkh.uu.se
Cnattingius
S
S
Jonsson
B
B
Tuvemo
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height; D002657:Child Development; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000254:growth & development*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013548:Sweden