Physical and social activities constraint and its effects on Body Mass Index of former Neonatal Intensive Care children.

OBJECTIVE

It is reported weight gain in children due to the confinement measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. We aimed to describe the effect of these measures on the nutritional status of former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit children.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study, including former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit children. The outcome was the Body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

We enrolled 126 children (74.6 % preterm; 31 % small-for-gestational-age). Weight excess was greater in the youngest group (≤5 years: 33.8 %; >5 years: 15.2 %). Prematurity was associated with weight excess in both groups (≤5 years: p value 0.006; >5 years: p value 0.046; Pearson test). Mealtime changes, lack of physical activity, socioeconomic factors and the perinatal morbidities significantly influenced the mean BMI. Birth length Z score less than -1.28 was negatively associated with BMI, while gestational age at birth presented a positive association with BMI (linear regression model).

CONCLUSIONS

The BMI increase due to the confinement measures associated with the gestational age at birth and in those born with intrauterine growth restriction is a matter of concern, as it might indicate a risk for future obesity.