This doctoral thesis describes cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors in children and young adults with a small size at birth, either due to preterm or SGA birth. For those born SGA with persistent short stature, the effects of GH treatment on these risk factors were studied. This first chapter describes definitions, prevalence and etiologies of SGA, and clinical and endocrinological aspects associated with SGA. Finally, the aims of the study and outline of this thesis are described.
