[Influence of birth weight on pubertal development of fourteen years old children]. / Wplyw urodzeniowej masy ciala na dojrzewanie plciowe 14-letnich dzieci.

Intrauterine growth restriction may have a life-long impact on growth and general health status. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of birth weight on height, BMI and pubertal stage in fourteen years old children. The study was carried out in 437 children (230 girls and 207 boys) in the mean age of 14.2+/-1.1 years. Data of parental height, mothers' age of menarche and family socioeconomic status were obtained through the inquiry. A significant correlation between the birth weight and height of 14 years old girls and boys was found, but there was no correlation of birth weight with their BMI. Age of the first menses in girls correlated with mothers' menarche only - neither birth weight nor socioeconomic factors influenced it significantly. Birth weight did not correlate with pubertal stage attained by the children examined, however in girls with low birth weight, as opposed to the girls with birth weight >2500 g, there was no acceleration of menarche. The results of the study indicate that birth weight may influence height but it has no influence on weight and pubertal staging in 14 years old children.

[Growth dynamics in the first six years of life in respect to the birth weight]. / Dynamika wzrastania w pierwszych 6 latach zycia w zaleznosci od urodzeniowej masy ciala.

The aim of the study was to examine growth dynamics in girls and boys during the first six years of life and to establish how and to what extend it can be modified by their birth weight. The study was carried out in 437 children (230 girls and 207 boys). Growth dynamics during first two years, between 2 and 4 and 4 and 6 years of life was established and compared between the groups of children with birth weight below 2500 g, 2501-3500 g and above 3500 g. In girls with lowest birth weight highest dynamics of the body mass accretion was found between birth and 2 years of life. Their linear growth velocity was highest between 2 and 4 years of life. In boys no relation of the birth weight and dynamics of body mass increase was found. However, in boys with lowest birth weight linear growth velocity was highest between 2 and 4 years of life. It is concluded that high growth velocity between the second and fourth year of life can be beneficial for the "catch-up" growth in children with low birth weight who remain short at the end of the 2nd year of life.