Both intrauterine growth restriction and postnatal growth influence childhood serum concentrations of adiponectin

Summary objective Insulin resistance has been linked to intrauterine growth restriction; adiponectin is a strong determinant of insulin sensitivity. We aimed at studying the contributions of birthweight and insulin sensitivity to circulating adiponectin in children born small for gestational age (SGA). design Cross‐sectional, hospital‐based study dealing with insulin sensitivity in SGA children. patients Thirty‐two prepubertal children born SGA (age 5·4 ± 2·9 years) and 37 prepubertal children born appropriate for gestational age (AGA, age 5·9 ± 3·0 years). measurements Serum levels of fasting glucose, serum lipids, insulin (immunometric assay) and adiponectin concentrations (ELISA) were assessed, and insulin resistance (IR) and insulin secretion (β‐cell) were calculated by the homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA). results SGA children had similar HOMA‐IR, HOMA‐β‐cell and adiponectin concentrations than AGA children. However, in a separate analysis of subjects older than 3 years of age, SGA children showed higher HOMA‐IR after adjusting for sex, age and body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS). Circulating adiponectin was higher in SGA children [adjusted means: 14·5 mg/l (95% CI 12·9–16·1) and 18·7 mg/l (95% CI 17·0–20·3) for AGA and SGA children, respectively; P