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Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Early Childhood in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants

Background/Aims: Term small-for-gestational-age and preterm born infants have an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome components already in childhood. Data in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) children are limited. We investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome components in VLBW infants at 2 years of corrected age. Methods: We included 38 children, participating in the Neonatal Insulin Replacement Therapy in Europe (NIRTURE) trial, a randomized controlled trial of early insulin therapy in VLBW infants. Metabolic syndrome components were defined as: body mass index SDS >2; blood pressure (systolic and/or diastolic) ≥90th percentile; triglycerides ≥0.98 mmol/l; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ≤1.03 mmol/l; glucose ≥5.6 mmol/l. Results: Two children (5%) had three metabolic syndrome components, 13 children (34%) had two components, and 11 children (29%) one component. 63% had raised blood pressure (prevalence higher in boys), 32% low HDL, and 30% high triglycerides (prevalence lower in early insulin group). In children with body mass index SDS <0, insulin-treated children had higher HDL than children with standard care. Systolic blood pressure was correlated with growth between term and 2 years of corrected age. Conclusions: VLBW infants already have a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome components at 2 years of corrected age. Early insulin treatment could have long-term benefits for some of these components.