Early growth patterns and cardiometabolic function at the age of 5 in a multiethnic birth cohort: the ABCD study

Abstract

The relation between fetal growth retardation and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in later life has been demonstrated in many studies. However, debate exists around the potential independent role of postnatal growth acceleration. Furthermore, it is unknown whether a potential effect of growth acceleration on cardiovascular and metabolic function is confined to certain timeframes.