title: Influence of catch-up growth on abdominal fat distribution in very low birth weight children - cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A rapid catch-up growth in very low birth weight has been associated both with a higher height growth and a higher risk to metabolic disturbances, including insulin resistance and its consequences. Abdominal fat distribution in early postnatal life may play a role in these outcomes and can help in addressing this neonatal dilemma. This study aimed to compare abdominal fat distribution among very low birth weight (VLBW) children with and without rapid catch-up growth.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort study followed 86 VLBW (<1500) children born in Brazil, during the first 3 years of life. Rapid catch-up growth was considered as an increased in length >2 Z score during the first year of life. Abdominal subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat thickness was determined by ultrasound. χ²-Test and Student's t-test were used to compare the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 79 VLBW children completed the study, of whom 22 (27.8%) showed rapid catch-up growth. Abdominal subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat thickness showed no differences among children with or without rapid catch-up growth at 3.3 mm vs. 3.8 mm, respectively (p=0.79) and 4.0 mm vs. 4.0 mm (p=0.55), respectively. VLBW children with rapid catch-up growth were also taller.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rapid catch-up growth during the first year of life in VLBW children does not seem to change abdominal fat distribution until the third year of life.
authors.forename: João Guilherme
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Sarita Amorim
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
authors.forename: Tais Sá
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lages
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Just
mesh_terms: D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000254:growth & development*; D000328:Adult; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D001938:Brazil; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*