Premature babies have an increased incidence of insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, according to new research.
Researchers in New Zealand studied 72 healthy children, between ages 4 and 10. Among the children, 50 were born prematurely (one or more months premature), including 38 at a normal birth weight for their gestational age and 12 at a low birth weight.
The other 22 children served as the control group and were not born prematurely.
Results show those born prematurely (regardless of birth weight) had a reduction in insulin sensitivity compared to the control group.
However, results show no difference in insulin sensitivity among premature babies of normal birth weight (for their gestational age) and low birth weight.
Authors conclude, “Like children who are born at term but who were small for gestational age, children who were born prematurely have an isolated reduction in insulin sensitivity, which may be a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus”
SOURCE:The New England Journal of Medicine, 2004;351:2179-2186