Objective: To explore if there was relationship between small body size at birth and type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) during adulthood in China.
Methods: Six hundred and twenty-eight singletons born in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing during July 1948 to the end of 1954 were followed-up and their medical records at birth were abstracted. Anthropometry and standard oral glucose tolerance test were carried out for all of them. Plasma insulin level was measured with radioimmunoassay for them.
Results: Prevalence of type 2 diabetes and IGT decreased with the increase in their birth weight, Ponderal index (PI) and head circumference at birth (for trend test, chi(2) = 6.7, P = 0.01; chi(2) = 4.8, P = 0.03; and chi(2) = 5.8, P = 0.02; respectively), with the highest of 43.8% in those with thin body size (PI < 24 kg/m(3)) at birth and obesity (BMI < 75 percentile) during adulthood, and the lowest of 8.3% in those with more fat at birth (PI >or= 28 kg/m(3)) and keeping relatively thin (BMI < 25th percentile) during adulthood. BMI of mothers in their early and late pregnancy correlated reversely with blood glucose levels two hours after sugar load for their children in adulthood. In addition, body weight, PI and head circumference at birth correlated reversely with their plasma insulin levels fasting and two hours after sugar load and levels of 32 -- 33 split pro-insulin during their adulthood. After adjustment for current BMI, lifestyle and economic status, body size at birth mentioned above still associated with their glucose tolerance and level of plasma insulin during adulthood.
Conclusion: There was relationship between small body size at birth and prevalence of type 2 diabetes and IGT during adulthood. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes and IGT depended on the synergic effect of thin body size at birth and obesity during adulthood.