ESPE Abstracts (2015) 84 P-3-1022

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan


Background: Late preterm birth (defined as infants born between 34 and 36 weeks of gestational age) is increasing worldwide. Their postnatal growth has not been fully investigated.

Objective and hypotheses: To identify the characteristics of postnatal growth and biochemical markers in late preterm infants.

Method: Among 2014 children in the birth cohort study conducted from 2010, 51 children were born late preterm with birth weight and height as AGA. 40 children matched in maternal age and other background, but born in term were selected as control group. We measured their height and weight from birth, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months and 2.3 years. Serum IGF1, Leptin, Adiponectin, and total cholesterol were measured at the age of 1 and 3. Maternal history during pregnancy, including weight gain and complications, was obtained from cohort database. Children’s nutrition was surveyed by questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruscal-Wallis test.

Results: There was no significant difference in mother’s condition during pregnancy and nutrition of the children within late preterm and term controls. At the age of 2, late preterm group had significantly higher BMI compared to controls. (P=0.0238, mean 16.36 kg/m2 vs 15.71). At the age of 3, there was no statistically significant difference in BMI, although late preterm children showed a tendency of higher BMI (mean 16.36 vs 15.21). Height S.D. score, serum biochemical data didn’t show significant difference between these two groups.

Conclusion: This result suggests late preterm group may have higher risk in developing obesity later in life.

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