title: Auxological and metabolic study in small for gestational age children during 2 years follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare auxological and metabolic status of preterm (PT) and fullterm (FT) small for gestational age (SGA) babies from birth until age 2 years and to study the role of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in auxological and metabolic outcome in SGA babies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 44 SGA babies (22 FTs, 22 PTs) followed up six monthly. Anthropometric and metabolic measurements (fasting glucose, basal insulin level, total-cholesterol, triglycerides) were performed. HOMA-IR was selected to assess insulin sensitivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both FTs and PTs from birth to age 6 months showed a significant increase in weight and length; the weight gain decreased from 6 to 12 months only in PTs. At 24 months, we observed catch-up growth in 90% of FTs and 87% of PTs. Insulinemia and HOMA-IR decreased from birth to 24 months, in particular between 6 and 12 months. PTs SGA with IUGR were significantly smaller than FTs SGA without IUGR (p = 0.01) and showed a lower length growth velocity. Moreover they showed also higher insulin levels and HOMA-IR at birth; these values decreased at 12 and 24 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed no significant difference between PTs and FTs SGA in auxological and metabolic parameters. However, prematurity with IUGR proved to be a significant factor that should be considered in the timing of auxological follow-up of SGA subjects.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Department, University of Genova, IRCCS G. Gaslini, Genoa 16147, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Polo Perucchin
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Traggiai
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Calevo
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gastaldi
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Battista
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amisano
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lorini
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D057238:Growth Charts; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin