Longitudinal changes in body mass index Zscores during infancy and risk of childhood allergies

Abstract

Abstract Background: Few studies address the dynamic changes of body mass index (BMI) Zscores during infancy with breastfeeding and their impact on childhood atopic diseases. Methods: A total of 183 children from a birth cohort regularly followed-up for 4 years were enrolled in this study. Time series data of BMI Z-scores from 1 month to 2 years of age was clustered using K-means method in R software. Breastfeeding status during the first 6 months of life was recorded and classified. The total serum and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels to food and inhalant allergens were measured at age 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 years. Results: Using K-means clustering, the dynamic changes in BMI Z-scores were classified into three clusters (cluster A, increasing, n Z 62; cluster B; decreasing, n Z 62; cluster C, constant low, n Z 59). Despite having no statistical association with atopic diseases, a decreasing trend in infantile BMI Z-scores was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of IgE