Schoolchildren born VLBW or VLGA show height-related changes in body composition and muscle function but no evidence of metabolic syndrome risk factors. Results from the NEOLONG study.

Children born small for gestational age (SGA) are at risk for the metabolic syndrome (MetS) as adults. We examined whether indicators of MetS could be identified in pre-pubertal children born very preterm.Parameters associated with MetS were studied in 141 pre-pubertal schoolchildren with either very low birth weight (VLBW) or GA <32 weeks (SGA: n=43).At 8.3±0.8 years, 36 children (SGA: n=15) were classified short. There were no differences between the SGA and appropriate for age (AGA) groups; nor were dissimilarities observed between short children and those with normal height for parameters such as body mass index (BMI), serum levels of hormones, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, body composition, resting energy expenditure, grip strength and jump force.Neither SGA at birth nor short stature at follow-up (irrespective of size at birth), could be associated with parameters that indicate an increased risk for the MetS during childhood.