Sequelae of syndrome X in children born small for gestational age

OBJECTIVE: Low birth weight is associated with the presence of syndrome X in adults. We studied the components of this syndrome in prepubertal children born SGA (small for gestational age) and children born AGA (appropriate for gestational age). METHODS: Twenty-nine SGA children, age (mean +/- SD) 9.1 +/- 1.1 years and 24 AGA children, age 9.0 +/- 1.1 years were studied. Fasting serum lipid concentrations were determined. A hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp was performed to measure insulin sensitivity. Ambulatory monitoring was performed to obtain 24-hour recordings of blood pressure. RESULTS: Prepubertal SGA children are less insulin sensitive and have a higher nighttime systolic blood pressure (SBP) after correction for BMI than children born AGA. No differences were found in lipid concentrations between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Not all components of syndrome X can yet be found in 9-year-old children born SGA; follow-up of this cohort is required.