Higher indexes of insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in young adults with very low birth weight

Intrauterine growth retardation may affect postnatal growth, development and insulin sensitivity in later life. In 163 young adults with very low weight at birth (<1500 g) and 169 subjects born at term, a standard 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed and insulin and glucose concentrations, serum lipid levels and blood pressure were measured. Compared with subjects born at term, subjects with very low birth weight had a 6.7% increase in the 2-hour glucose concentration, a 16.7% increase in the fasting insulin concentration, a 40.0% increase in the 2-hour insulin concentration, an 18.9% increase in the insulin-resistance index (HOMA-IR), and a 4.8 mm Hg increase in systolic pressure. Young adults with a very low birth weight have lower insulin sensitivity, lower post-load glucose tolerance and higher blood pressure.

Abstract

Keywords:
Adipose tissue – Blood pressure – Impaired glucose regulation – Insulin resistance – Insulin sensitivity – OGTT