Blood sugar control linked with birth weight

In a recent study it was reported that babies born weighing less than 5.5 pounds (2.5 kilograms) have a more difficult time processing glucose in their bodies than infants born at normal weight. This could put them at risk for a host of chronic disorders in adulthood. Birth weight, which is influenced by the gestational age, is thought to reflect how well the baby was nourished in the womb. Low birth weight may be a risk factor for obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, among other conditions. Glucose tolerance refers to how well the body is able to use sugar from food as energy. To investigate whether birth weight and gestational age might have an effect on glucose tolerance, the researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa studied 100 newborns weighing less than 5.5 pounds or born premature (before 38 weeks gestation). Blood sugar and insulin levels were measured before and after the babies were fed milk. It was found that smaller infants and those who were the most sensitive to insulin, the key blood-sugar regulating hormone, also grew the fastest in the first days of life, a phenomenon known as catch-up growth. Catch-up growth was associated with higher body mass index (BMI) in 5-year-olds and that the phenomenon may be one mechanism by which low birth weight increases the risk of obesity and the chronic disorders associated with obesity. Low birth weight babies who become obese adults have one of the highest risks of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Also, babies born to mothers taking medication to control their blood pressure during pregnancy were smaller and tended to secrete more insulin after eating, compared with their peers born to mothers who were not taking medication. Overall, 50% of the infants in the study were born to mothers taking blood pressure medication. The findings, support the idea that the environment of the womb has a strong influence on a newborn's metabolism, an influence that could extend into childhood and even adulthood. The study shows that higher birth weight is correlated with better glucose tolerance regardless of gestational age. Dietary intake for low birth weight children should not be in a form that leads to excessive weight gain in the form of fat. It is necessary to follow a healthy diet that does not contain lots of fat and refined carbohydrate.