Prematurity and body composition at 6, 18, and 30 years of age: Pelotas (Brazil) 2004, 1993, and 1982 birth cohorts

Abstract Background We aimed to investigate the association between preterm birth and body composition at 6, 18, 30 years of age using data from three population-based cohort studies. Methods Gestational (GA), defined by date last menstrual period (categorized in ≤33, 34–36, ≥ 37 weeks), was gathered first 24-h after delivery for all live births occurring city Pelotas, Brazil, 2004, 1993 1982. Body assessed air-displacement plethysmography. Outcomes included fat mass (FM, kg), percent FM (%FM), index (FMI, kg/m 2 ), fat-free (FFM, kg); FFM (%FFM), (FFMI, (BMI, 18 1982 cohort), BMI Z-score (at 6 2004 cohort). further explored weight GA with indicators BMI. Crude adjusted linear regressions provided beta coefficients 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results A total 3036, 3027, 3369 participants, respectively, 1993, cohorts were analyzed. At years, boys (born 34–36 weeks) presented lower mean (β = − 0.80 kg, 1.45;-0.16, p 0.046), %FM 2.39%, 3.90;-0.88, 0.008), FMI 0.70 , 1.13;-0.27, 0.004) as well 0.4 0.77; 0.12, 0.010) FFMI 0.3 0.46;-0.10, < 0.001), 0.69,; 0.99;-0.40, 0.001); but higher %FFM 2.4%, 0.87;-3.90, when compared born term (≥37). (15.7 0.25;31.1, 0.102) among males ≤33 weeks. No observed females 18-year-old males. The not significant any cohort. SGA had than AGA. Conclusions Our results suggest that is associated decreased childhood adulthood. Nevertheless, only also showed FFMI.