Long-term effects of premature birth on somatic development in women through adolescence and adulthood

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term consequences of preterm birth on anthropometric parameters in women in adolescence and into adulthood. METHODS: Seventy girls born preterm (age 12.22 ± 1.52 years) and 48 born at term participated in the first stage. Eighteen years later, 13 of the same women participated in a follow-up and were compared with a control group of 27 women. We compared anthropometric results across the two examinations, and in the second stage, also assessed body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in anthropometric parameters or the content of individual components of the body between the preterm-born and control groups. However, the preterm-born group showed a tendency for higher average fat mass and lower fat-free and soft lean mass compared with the control group, and had a significantly higher mean waist–hip ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Preterm birth does not adversely affect somatic development in girls during adolescence, but shows a correlation with an elevated waist–hip ratio in adulthood.