This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Willemsen, R. H. Articles by Hokken-Koelega, A. C. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Willemsen, R. H. Articles by Hokken-Koelega, A. C. S. Related Collections Pediatric Endocrinology Diabetes and Insulin

Prematurity Is Not Associated with Reduced Insulin Sensitivity in Adulthood

Department of Pediatrics (R.H.W., R.W.J.L., A.C.S.H.-K.), Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Medical Centre Sophia, 3015 GJ Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (T.S.), Leiden University Medical Centre, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Ruben Willemsen, M.D., Ph.D., Erasmus MC Sophia, Room SB-2603, Dr. Molewaterplein 60, 3015 GJ Rotterdam, The Netherlands. E-mail: r.h.willemsen{at}erasmusmc.nl.

Background: In 2005, 12.7% of all babies were born preterm, and the incidence is rising. Nowadays, due to improved survival, an increasing number of children born preterm reach young adulthood. A recent report suggested lower insulin sensitivity in children born preterm, which may put them at risk for the development of type 2 diabetes. It is, however, still unknown whether this reduced insulin sensitivity persists into adulthood.

Methods: We determined insulin sensitivity and β-cell function with frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance tests in 305 young adults (aged 18–24 yr; 169 preterm and 136 term). Adult body composition was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. We investigated the effect of gestational age, size at birth, and adult body composition on insulin sensitivity.

Results: In contrast to previous reports, we found no evidence that preterm birth has a deleterious effect on insulin sensitivity in young adulthood. Adult trunk fat and the use of oral contraceptives in women were the most important determinants of insulin insensitivity, independently of size at birth and duration of pregnancy.

Conclusion: Contrary to our hypothesis, preterm birth was not associated with reduced insulin sensitivity in young adulthood.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. F. Kerkhof, R. W. J. Leunissen, R. H. Willemsen, F. H. de Jong, T. Stijnen, and A. C. S. Hokken-Koelega Influence of Preterm Birth and Birth Size on Gonadal Function in Young Men J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2009; 94(11): 4243 - 4250. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]