Fat Mass and Lipid Profile in Young Adults Born Preterm

Context: Associations between small size at birth and abnormal cardiovascular parameters in later life have been reported. It is, however, unknown whether the effect of a small size at birth on cardiovascular risk factors in later life is due to a small size for gestational age or due to prematurity...

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Published in:The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2012-04, Vol.97 (4), p.1294-1302
Main Authors: Breukhoven, P. E, Kerkhof, G. F, Willemsen, R. H, Hokken-Koelega, A. C. S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdominal Fat - pathology
Adiposity
Adolescent
Adult
Adult Children
Biological and medical sciences
Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology
Cohort Studies
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dyslipidemias - etiology
Endocrinopathies
Feeding. Feeding behavior
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Lipids - blood
Male
Medical sciences
Netherlands - epidemiology
Overweight - etiology
Pregnancy
Premature Birth - blood
Premature Birth - pathology
Premature Birth - physiopathology
Risk Factors
Subcutaneous Fat - pathology
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
Vertebrates: endocrinology
Young Adult
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Summary:Context: Associations between small size at birth and abnormal cardiovascular parameters in later life have been reported. It is, however, unknown whether the effect of a small size at birth on cardiovascular risk factors in later life is due to a small size for gestational age or due to prematurity. Due to advances in neonatal care, survival of preterm infants has significantly improved, and nowadays an increasing number of these children reach adulthood. It is, therefore, of increasing importance to assess the long-term effect of prematurity on determinants for cardiovascular disease. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the long-term effects of gestational age and particularly preterm birth on lipid levels and fat mass in early adulthood. Design and Patients: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 455 healthy subjects, aged 18 to 24 yr; 167 preterm subjects were compared with 288 full-term subjects. Outcome Measure: Total fat mass, trunk fat mass, and limb fat mass were determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Furthermore, fasting lipid levels (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein a, high-density lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein A-I) were measured. Results: Preterm subjects had a significantly higher percentage of total fat mass, trunk fat mass, and limb fat mass than subjects born term. Furthermore, preterm subjects had significantly lower serum lipoprotein a levels and higher apolipoprotein A-I levels than term subjects. Multiple linear regression analyses to assess the association between gestational age and fat mass and lipid levels showed similar results. Conclusion: In our cohort of 455 young adults, preterm birth was associated with more total fat mass, trunk fat, and limb fat mass but a relatively favorable lipid profile.
ISSN:0021-972X
1945-7197
DOI:10.1210/jc.2011-2621