title: The interrelationships of birthweight, inflammation and body composition in healthy adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lower birthweight is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. We hypothesized that inflammation and body fat may be potential mediators for these inverse relationships.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy adults aged 25-41 years were enrolled in a prospective population-based cohort study in the Principality of Liechtenstein. Main exclusion criteria were diabetes, overt cardiovascular disease or a body mass index > 35 kg/m(2) . Birthweight was self-reported by the study participants. White blood cell (WBC) count and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were assayed from fresh blood samples. Body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to assess the relationships between birthweight, inflammation and body composition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our sample consisted of 1774 participants (53·4% females) with a median age of 37 years. Median birthweight was 3355 g. In multivariable models, we found an inverse relationship of birthweight with hs-CRP levels (β -0·010 (95% CI -0·02; -0·002), P = 0·01) and WBC count (β -0·002 (95% CI -0·004; -0·0002), P = 0·03). Additional adjustment for body fat mass attenuated these relationships (β -0·008 (95% CI -0·02; 0·0003), P = 0·06 for hs-CRP levels and (β -0·002 (95% CI -0·004; 0·0006), P = 0·16 for WBC count. Body fat mass itself was strongly associated with birthweight (β -0·06 (95% CI -0·10; -0·03), P < 0·0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Birthweight is inversely associated with inflammation in adulthood. This relationship may be mediated by an elevated body fat mass among individuals with lower birthweight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.|Cardiovascular Research Institute Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kofler
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.|Cardiovascular Research Institute Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.|Cardiology Division, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bossard
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.|Cardiovascular Research Institute Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aeschbacher
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.|Cardiovascular Research Institute Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tabord
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.|Cardiovascular Research Institute Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Francisco Javier Ruperti
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Repilado
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.|Cardiovascular Research Institute Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van der Lely
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.|Cardiovascular Research Institute Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.affiliation: Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr. Risch, Schaan, Liechtenstein.|Division of Laboratory Medicine, Kantonsspital Graubünden, Chur, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Risch
authors.affiliation: Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr. Risch, Schaan, Liechtenstein.|Division of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.|Private University, Triesen, Liechtenstein.
authors.forename: Lorenz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Risch
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.|Cardiovascular Research Institute Basel, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Conen
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Birthweight; body composition; epidemiology; fat mass; inflammation; population based