Growth and Metabolism in Children Born Small for Gestational Age

Most children born small for gestational age (SGA) show spontaneous catch-up growth to a normal weight and height above 2 standard deviation scores (SDS); however, 10% remain short. Growth hormone (GH) treatment improves adult height and has positive effects on body composition, blood pressure and serum lipids. At 6.5 years after stopping GH treatment, body composition, blood pressure, and lipid levels are similar to untreated short SGA adults indicating that GH-induced catch-up in height has no unfavorable effects on metabolic health. GH-induced reduction in insulin sensitivity is reversible after stopping GH. It remains to be elucidated how metabolic health develops when these subjects become older.