Early insulin resistance may be present in young adults born small for gestational age

Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridaemia, and hypertension in middle age. Onp 341 Leger et al investigate whether these conditions are present at the age of 20 in 236 people born small for gestational age compared with 281 who had a normal birth weight. After adjustment for sex and target height, subjects born small for gestational age were significantly shorter. After adjustment for sex and body mass index, subjects born small for gestational age had significantly higher mean plasma glucose concentrations 30 minutes after a glucose load, higher fasting insulin concentrations (women only), and higher insulin and proinsulin concentrations 30 and 120 minutes after a glucose load. The raised insulin and proinsulin concentrations are markers of early changes in insulin sensitivity.


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