Quick Weight Gain in Small Babies Linked To Diabetes

Small babies gaining weight faster during the first three months may be at a risk for diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia in the future.

Babies that are born with lower birth weight than normal usually catch up in their growth to match their counterparts born of normal weight. A study now indicates that a quick increase in weight especially during the first three months of life could predispose the baby to developing health issues in later life.

Studies indicate that small newborns often suffer from diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia in later life. Researchers recently studied the effect of a rapid weight gain during the first three months of life on the development of diseases in later life. They collected data between the years 1985 to 1987 from one thousand pregnant women who had one or more risk factors for giving birth to a small for gestational age (SGA) baby. The data included details regarding fetal growth velocity in the third trimester, birth weight for gestational age and growth in the first year of life.

Diabetes Type 1, Type 2 - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis and Treatment FAQs
A comprehensive article on diabetes - both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, including : causes, signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, facts and a glossary on diabetes.

Of these children, one hundred and twenty three were followed up during their adolescence in the years 2003-2005. From these, 87 individuals who had the required data were included in the study. These included 30 children who were born SGA and 57 who were appropriate for gestational age (AGA).

[A newborn that is smaller than a normal newborn of the same gender (usually less than 10^th percentile) is said to be “Small for Gestational Age (SGA).” Newborns that are of normal size are said to be “Adequate for Gestational Age (AGA).”]

The researchers found that glucose metabolism was adversely affected in adolescents born SGA who showed accelerated growth in the first three months of life. However, the accelerated weight gain did not affect glucose metabolism in infants born AGA.

Low Birth Weight may Predispose Babies to Obesity in Later Life
Babies who are born with low birth weight are at an increased risk of suffering from obesity later in their lives

Lipid profile and blood pressure were also adversely affected by weight gain in the first three months. This effect was similar in SGA as well as AGA individuals.

Thus, the researchers conclude that weight gain during the period soon after birth may be an important determinant of future ailments like diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia especially in small for gestational age (SGA) babies.

Low Birth Weight Survivors Are At High Risk for Long-Term Respiratory Disorders
A new study shows that infants who weigh less than five and a half pounds at birth often enter the world with a host of medical complications, including respiratory problems.

Reference:

1. Impact of Birth Weight and Early Infant Weight Gain on Insulin Resistance and Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adolescence; Signe et al; PloS One 2011.

Childhood Weight Gain Found To Increase The Risk of Diabetes
Being overweight in childhood can no longer be considered a benign condition or one related only to appearance. Recent study shows nearly 60

Source-Medindia