Abstract
Background
Maternal smoking impairs fetal growth; however, if postnatal growth differs between children born small for gestational age (SGA) with smoking and non-smoking mother is unknown.
Methods
Cohort-study of term born children born appropriate for gestational age with non-smoking mother (AGA-NS, n = 30,561), SGA (birthweight <10th percentile) with smoking mother (SGA-S, n = 171) or SGA with non-smoking mother (SGA-NS, n = 1761). Means of height and weight measurements, collected at birth, 1.5, 3, 4, and 5 years, were compared using a generalized linear mixed effect model. Relative risks of short stature (<10th percentile) were expressed as adjusted risk ratios (aRR).
Results
At birth, children born SGA-S were shorter than SGA-NS, but they did not differ in weight. At 1.5 years, SGA-S had reached the same height as SGA-NS. At 5 years, SGA-S were 1.1 cm taller and 1.2 kg heavier than SGA-NS. Compared with AGA-NS, SGA-S did not have increased risk of short stature at 1.5 or 5 years, while SGA-NS had increased risk of short stature at both ages; aRRs 3.0 (95% CI 2.6;3.4) and 2.3 (95% CI 2.0;2.7), respectively.
Conclusions
Children born SGA-S have a more rapid catch-up growth than SGA-NS. This may have consequences for metabolic and cardiovascular health in children with smoking mothers.
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Study concept and design: L.L, A.-K.W, E.B, A.M-L, F.A. and M.L. Acquisition of data: L.L and U.H. Analysis and interpretation of data: L.L, A.-K.W. and M.L. Statistical analysis, first draft, and revision of the manuscript: L.L. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: L.L., A.-K.W., E.B, A.M.-L., U.H., F.A., M.L.
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The project was funded by the Gillbergska foundation and Födelsefonden (LL). A.-K.W. is supported by the Swedish Research Council (grant 2014–3561). F.A. is supported by the Gillbergska foundation and HRH Crown Princess Lovisas association for pediatric care.
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Lindström, L., Wikström, AK., Bergman, E. et al. Postnatal growth in children born small for gestational age with and without smoking mother. Pediatr Res 85, 961–966 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-019-0352-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-019-0352-5
