Associations between growth and childhood body composition in very preterm, late preterm and term children

Nyakotey, David AGamble, Greg DMcKinlay, Christopher JDBloomfield, Frank HHarding, Jane ENeonatal Nutritional Interventions Early School‐age Outcomes Studies (NIEOS) collaboration2025-01-092025-01-092024-12(2024). Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics, Online Version of Record.0803-5253https://hdl.handle.net/2292/71009<h4>Aim</h4>To determine how gestational age at birth and postnatal growth relate to body composition in childhood.<h4>Methods</h4>We calculated conditional growth (birth-2 years, 2 years-6 years) and measured body composition at 2 and 6 years using bioelectrical impedance in cohorts of New Zealand children born very preterm (VPT; 23-31 weeks), late preterm (LPT; 35- <37 weeks) and term (≥37 weeks). We explored the relationships between growth and fat mass (FM) index and fat-free mass (FFM) index at 6 years using multivariable linear regression.<h4>Results</h4>Of 1125 children (51% male), 202 were VPT, 114 LPT and 809 Term. Compared to Term, VPT but not LPT were lighter and shorter at 2 and 6 years and had lower FM index and FFM index. The association between weight growth from 2 to 6 years and both FM index and FFM index at 6 years was stronger than for weight growth from birth to 2 years or height growth at any period in all gestational age groups.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Size and body composition at 2 and 6 years are different between infants born VPT, but not LPT, and at term. Later weight growth is more strongly associated with childhood body composition than earlier growth.Print-ElectronicItems in ResearchSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/docs/uoa-docs/rights.htmNeonatal Nutritional Interventions Early School‐age Outcomes Studies (NIEOS) collaborationadipositybody sizegrowth and developmentpreterm infants3213 Paediatrics32 Biomedical and Clinical SciencesPediatricPreterm, Low Birth Weight and Health of the NewbornPreventionClinical ResearchPerinatal Period - Conditions Originating in Perinatal Period2.1 Biological and endogenous factorsReproductive health and childbirth1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive MedicineAssociations between growth and childhood body composition in very preterm, late preterm and term childrenJournal Article10.1111/apa.17534Copyright: Foundation Acta Paediatrica39652519 (pubmed)1651-2227