Effect of Post-Natal Catch-Down and Feeding Practices on Auxology, Body Composition and Muscle Function in Children Born Large-For-Gestational-Age

Abstract

Background: High birth-weight and supernormal postnatal weight gain increases the risk of obesity. Breastfeeding and postnatal Catch-down growth in children born large-for-gestational-age (LGA) might be protective. Methods: 101 LGA-children of mothers without gestational diabetes were included; 60 breastfed. Auxology and muscle function were examined at 8.0yrs (range, 4.3-12.1). Data were analysed in relation to birth-weight and/or length, to catch-down growth, and to feeding practices. Results: A strong familiarity (44% LGA-siblings; 31 LGA-mothers (38.8%); 21 LGA-fathers (34.4%)) and a positive correlation to mother's birth weight-SDS (r: 0.23, p=0.042) and -length (r: 0.25, p=0.027) were found. Postnatal catch-down growth was found in 88% (89/101) with no difference regarding to feeding practices. At school age mean BMI-SDS was normal but height-SDS remained significantly higher than target height-SDS. Those 12% without postnatal catch-down were significantly taller and heavier, had higher skinfold-SDS and waist-circumference-SDS than those with catch-down growth-irrespective of feeding practice. Muscle function was below average in formerly heavy but normal in those solely long LGA-infants. Conclusion: Irrespective of feeding practice the majority of LGA-children showed catch-down growth. However catch-down growth did not lead to a complete normalization of auxologic parameters. Importantly in those without postnatal catch-down growth higher indices for fatness were observed.