Impact of catch-up growth on pancreatic islet function in fetal growth restriction
Ge Jianfang , Xie Zongde
1. Department of NICU, Shanxi Children' s Hospital, Shanxi, Taiyuan 030012, China; 2. Department of Neonatology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Hunan, Changsha 430011, China
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) denotes the inadequate growth and development of the fetus in the uterus, typically linked to malnutrition and multiple other factors, which may result in insufficient insulin secretion and abnormal glucose metabolism. In recent years, catch-up growth (CUG), as a growth pattern, has been identified as a prevalent phenomenon among some FGR children, potentially enhancing pancreatic islet function to some extent. However, the specific mechanism behind this remains unclear. This review will
systematically analyze relevant literatures to summarize the effects of CUG on pancreatic islet function of
FGR and delve into its underlying biological mechanisms. The goal is to provide a clearer direction for future research and foster a deeper comprehension of pancreatic islet function and the subsequent health outcomes in individuals with FGR.
2026, Vol. 14 
