The association between birth weight at term and long-term endocrine morbidity of the offspring*

Objective: To investigate whether small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) birth weight at-term poses an increased risk for long-term pediatric endocrine morbidity.

Study design: A retrospective population-based cohort study compared the incidence of long-term pediatric hospitalizations due to endocrine morbidity of singleton children born SGA, appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA), and LGA at-term. A multivariate generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression model analysis was used to control for confounders.

Results: During the study period, 235,614 deliveries met the inclusion criteria; of which 4.7% were SGA (n?=?11,062), 91% were AGA (n?=?214,249), and 4.3% were LGA neonates (n?=?10,303). During the follow-up period, children born SGA or LGA at-term had a significantly higher rate of long-term endocrine morbidity. Using a multivariable GEE logistic regression model, controlling for confounders, being delivered SGA or LGA at-term was found to be an independent risk factor for long-term pediatric endocrine morbidity (Adjusted OR?=?1.4; 95%CI?=?1.1–1.8; p?=?.015 and aOR?=?1.4; 95%CI?=?1.1–1.8; p?=?.005, respectively). Specifically, LGA was found an independent risk factor for overweight and obesity (aOR?=?1.7; 95%CI?=?1.2–2.5; p?=?.001), while SGA was found an independent risk factor for childhood hypothyroidism (aOR?=?3.2; 95%CI?=?1.8–5.8; p?=?.001).

Conclusions: Birth weight either SGA or LGA at-term is an independent risk factor for long-term pediatric endocrine morbidity.