title: Low birth weight for gestational age associates with reduced glucose concentrations at birth, infancy and childhood.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to investigate glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system status in children born small for gestational age (SGA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study was carried out at birth, infancy and childhood, comparing SGA with children appropriate for gestational age strictly matched for age, gender, pubertal status and body mass index. Ninety newborns, 52 infants, and 68 children were studied. Fasting insulin (I(F)), fasting glucose (G(F)) to I(F) ratio (G(F)/I(F)), the homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity, the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, insulinogenic index and the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio were measured. IGF-I, IGF-binding protein-3 and the IGF-I/IGF-binding protein-3 molar ratio were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Glucose concentrations were lower in SGA newborns (p < 0.0001), infants (p = 0.01), and children (p = 0.001). Birth weight correlated with glucose levels at birth (r = 0.59, p < 0.0001), 12 months (r = 0.29, p = 0.04) and childhood (r = 0.44, p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results provide evidence for a developmental adaptation of glucose metabolism in SGA children leading to reduced glucose concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, S. Chiara Hospital, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ghirri
authors.forename: Christini
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ladaki
authors.forename: Ambra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bartoli
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scirè
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vuerich
authors.forename: Gian Luigi
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Spadoni
authors.forename: Arianna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maiorana
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Geremia
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boldrini
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cianfarani
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D049628:Body Size; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D036801:Parturition / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose