Association between Birth weight and some Metabolic Syndrome Parameters among Medical Studentsin Al-Neelain University Faculty of Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Epidemiological evidences suggest a strong relation between birth weight and some diseases in adult life (hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD)). It is thought that an adverse intrauterine environment provokes adaptive response to ensure fetal survival which if persist into adulthood may cause metabolic and CVD disease. Objectives: The aim of this study was to study association between birth weight and metabolic syndrome parameters among medical students, aiming to avail information to build the natural history of weight gain during early adulthood. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Al-Neelain public University; done as part of a larger study that examined the prevalence of obesity among medical, 50 students who have birth weight data were involved in this study. Ethical approval was obtained and Data (collected by Questionnaire, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements and blood sample) were analyzed using SPSS(version23). Results: In this study metabolic syndrome prevalence was 2% and 4.1% using IDF and ATPIII definitions respectively. Metabolic syndrome risk factors were highly prevalent 32.6%; for obesity and overweight, 48.1% for hypertension and pre hypertension. There was gender base difference in blood pressure which was statistically significant p value = 0.02, with higher prevalence of pre hypertension and hypertension among male. The relationship between birth weight and adulthood obesity show inverted J shape relation with higher BMI among lower birth weight. Mean value for BP was higher among large for gestational age LGA and low birth weight LBW compared to appropriate birth weight individuals. Birth weight show statistical significance in relation to uncontrolled eating habit P value= 0.004 LBW compared to appropriate birth weight). Conclusion: • High prevalence of overweight/obesity as well as pre-hypertension/ HTN. • Aninverted J shape relationship between birth weight and adulthood obesity. Recommendation: Prevention of abnormal birth weight development through proper antenatal care is recommended.