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Abstract
Introduction. Prenatal and childhood growth influence the risk of developing the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Both conditions are associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our aim was to explore the associations between early growth and adult NAFLD.
Methods. We studied 1587 individuals from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study (HBCS) born 1934–44 for whom birth, childhood, and adult clinical data were available. NAFLD was defined using the NAFLD liver fat score and equation. The score was converted into a dichotomous variable, with outcomes defined as either a positive or negative score. The equation predicts liver fat percentage.
Results. A positive score was found in 43% of men and 22.5% of women. Several measurements of birth and childhood body size were negatively associated with both NAFLD outcomes after adjustment for adult BMI. Those from the smallest BMI tertile at age 2 who were obese in adulthood had an OR of 18.5 for a positive score compared to those from the same group who were normal weight in adulthood.
Conclusions. A larger childhood body size was negatively associated with NAFLD outcomes. Individuals who are small during early childhood and obese as adults seem to be at the highest risk of developing NAFLD.
Declaration of interest: Supported by the Academy of Finland, the British Heart Foundation, EU FP7 (DORIAN) project number 278603, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Finnish Special Governmental Subsidy for Health Sciences, Finska Läkaresällskapet, the Juho Vainio Foundation, Liv och Hälsa, Samfundet Folkhälsan, the Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation, and the Wilhelm and Else Stockmann Foundation. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Notice of Correction
The version of this article published online ahead of print on the 14th June 2013 contained errors in the abstract on page 1. The errors have been corrected for this version.