[Immune function and catch-up growth of 6-month infants with intrauterine growth retardation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of "developmental programming" on immunity function and the correlation between immunologic changes and physical growth. METHODS: Sixty singleton pregnancies with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and twenty normal pregnant women were enrolled in this study at their third trimester of pregnancy. Birth weight, birth length, mode of delivery, complication of newborn were measured and/or recorded at the moment of delivery. Physical development of the infants was measured every month up to six months old using weight and length as indicators. The deviation of physical growth was evaluated by Z score. Blood samples were taken from the infants at the sixth month. Lymphocyte subpopulations were anaLyzed using flow cytometry. Humoral immunity were measured using immunoturbidimetry. RESULTS: About 27.27% and 29.09% of IUGR infants were found to have small for gestational age (SGA) and neonatal complications. They had lower birth body masses and birth lengths than those of controls (P<0.05). After correcting for gestational age, the IUGR boys had lower body masses at birth and one months old, as well as lower lengths at 0-6 months compared with the controls. The IUGR girls had lower weights at 0, 1, 3, 4, and 6 months, as well as lower lengths at 0, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months. The IUGR infants without intrauterine-catch-up growth had lower proportion of B lymphocyte than those with intrauterine-catch-up growth (P<0.05). The IUGR infants without extrauterine-catch-up growth had higher numbers of B lymphocyte and lower IgG than those of normal controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: IUGR infants without intrauterine-catch-up and extrauterine-catch-up have impaired immunity function. The theory of "development program" needs proof of studies with a large sample size and long-term follow-up.

[Epidemiological investigation of birth information and physique status in 9 to 15-year-old children from Chengdu City of Sichuan Province].

OBJECTIVE: As the intrauterine environment can affect childhood growth and development, this study aims to understand the relationship between birth gestational age, birth weight and physique development in 9 to 15-year-old children by a cross sectional investigation in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province. METHODS: A total of 7194 9 to 15-year-old school children were classified according to birth gestational age and birth weight: small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and large for gestational age (LGA). Their heights and weights were measured. Parents completed a questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of SGA was 6.23% (448 cases), and 5.13% of children in the SGA group did not undergo "catch-up growth" (lower than -2 SD). The mean height in these children at various stages was significantly lower than in the AGA group (P<0.05). The prevalence of LGA was 18.06% (1299 cases). A total of 179 children (13.78%) were found to be overweight and 57 children (4.39%) were found to be obese in the LGA group. The mean weight in the LGA group at various stages was significantly higher than in the AGA group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Height and weight development in children born SGA and LGA are different from normal children. More attention should be given to aspects of height and weight development in these school children.