Journals / Pediatric Practice and Research / 2026 / Volume: 14 Issue: 1

Early Cardiometabolic Characteristics in Childhood Among Large-for-Gestational-Age Infants

Gebelik Haftasına Göre İri Doğan Çocuklarda Erken Dönem Kardiyometabolik Özellikler

Leman Tuba Karakurt(Department of Pediatrics, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye)0000-0003-0818-8063
Cihan Emeksiz(Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Gazi University)0000-0002-4815-1591
Peyami Cinaz(GAZI UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE)0000-0001-5942-1852
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-09-29
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Although insulin resistance and elevated blood pressure were not evident at this age, the cross-sectional design and the restriction to offspring of mothers without recognised metabolic disease mean that these findings represent associations rather than evidence of causation and require confirmation in longitudinal studies.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Background/Aims: To evaluate cardiometabolic characteristics in prepubertal children born large for gestational age (LGA) compared with those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA), with a focus on adiposity, insulin levels, and lipid parameters.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: This study included 117 prepubertal children aged 6–9 years (59 LGA, 58 AGA).
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Conclusion & Impact:Although insulin resistance and elevated blood pressure were not evident at this age, the cross-sectional design and the restriction to offspring of mothers without recognised metabolic disease mean that these findings represent associations rather than evidence of causation and require confirmation in longitudinal studies.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Cardiometabolic Characteristics · Large for gestational age · Lipid profile

Abstract

Background/Aims: To evaluate cardiometabolic characteristics in prepubertal children born large for gestational age (LGA) compared with those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA), with a focus on adiposity, insulin levels, and lipid parameters. Methods: This study included 117 prepubertal children aged 6–9 years (59 LGA, 58 AGA). Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and fasting laboratory parameters were assessed. LGA was defined as birth weight ≥90th percentile for gestational age, and AGA as the 10th–90th percentile. Insulin levels and lipid profiles were evaluated. Statistical analyses included t-tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and chi-square tests. Results: Children born LGA had significantly higher weight, height, BMI, and waist and hip circumferences compared with AGA peers (p≤0.010). Obesity prevalence was higher in the LGA group (25.4% vs. 10.3%, p=0.030). Fasting glucose and insulin levels were similar between groups. Total cholesterol and LDL-C were significantly higher in LGA children (p=0.010 and p=0.030, respectively), while HDL-C was also higher (p=0.040) and triglyceride levels were lower (p=0.04). Conclusions: Children born LGA showed greater adiposity and higher LDL cholesterol concentrations than AGA peers. Although insulin resistance and elevated blood pressure were not evident at this age, the cross-sectional design and the restriction to offspring of mothers without recognised metabolic disease mean that these findings represent associations rather than evidence of causation and require confirmation in longitudinal studies.

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, gebelik haftasına göre iri doğan (GHİ) prepubertal çocukların kardiyometabolik özelliklerinin, gebelik haftasına göre uygun doğan (GHU) akranlarıyla karşılaştırılması ve özellikle adipozite, insülin düzeyleri ile lipid profili açısından değerlendirilmesi amaçlandı. Yöntem: Çalışmaya 6–9 yaşları arasında toplam 117 prepubertal çocuk (59 GHİ, 58 GHU) dahil edildi. Katılımcıların antropometrik ölçümleri, kan basıncı değerleri ve açlık biyokimyasal parametreleri değerlendirildi. GHİ, doğum ağırlığının gebelik haftasına göre ≥90. persentilde; GHU ise 10.–90. persentiller arasında olması şeklinde tanımlandı. İnsülin düzeyleri ve lipid profilleri incelendi. İstatistiksel analizlerde Student t testi, Mann–Whitney U testi ve ki-kare testi kullanıldı. Bulgular: GHİ grubundaki çocukların vücut ağırlığı, boy uzunluğu, beden kitle indeksi, bel çevresi ve kalça çevresi ölçümleri GHU grubuna göre anlamlı olarak daha yüksekti (tüm karşılaştırmalar için p≤0,010). Obezite sıklığı da GHİ grubunda anlamlı düzeyde daha yüksek bulundu (%25,4'e karşı %10,3; p=0,030). Açlık glukozu ve insülin düzeyleri açısından gruplar arasında anlamlı farklılık saptanmadı. Buna karşın, toplam kolesterol ve düşük yoğunluklu lipoprotein kolesterol düzeyleri GHİ grubunda daha yüksek bulundu (sırasıyla p=0,010 ve p=0,030). Ayrıca, yüksek yoğunluklu lipoprotein kolesterol düzeyleri daha yüksek (p=0,040), trigliserid düzeyleri ise daha düşük olarak saptandı (p=0,04). Sonuç: Gebelik haftasına göre iri doğan çocuklarda, prepubertal dönemde artmış adipozite ve daha yüksek düşük yoğunluklu lipoprotein kolesterol düzeyleri saptanmıştır. Her ne kadar bu yaş grubunda insülin direnci ve yüksek kan basıncı açısından belirgin bir farklılık saptanmamış olsa da, çalışmanın kesitsel tasarımı ve metabolik hastalığı bulunmayan annelerin çocuklarından oluşan seçilmiş bir örneklemde yürütülmüş olması nedeniyle bulgular nedensellik değil ilişki olarak yorumlanmalı ve uzunlamasına çalışmalarla doğrulanmalıdır.

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Cite This Article

Karakurt, L. T., Emeksiz, C., Cinaz, P. (2026). Early Cardiometabolic Characteristics in Childhood Among Large-for-Gestational-Age Infants. Pediatric Practice and Research, Volume: 14 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.21765/pprjournal.1974143

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