Effect of maternal anthropometry and metabolic parameters on fetal growth

Influence of parental anthropometry and gestational weight gain on intrauterine growth and neonatal outcomes: Findings from the MAI cohort study in rural India

Poor foetal growth and subsequent low birth weight are associated with an increased risk for disease later in life. Identifying parental factors that determine foetal growth are important to curbing intergenerational malnutrition, especially among disadvantaged populations in the global south where undernutrition rates are high. The objective of this study was to assess the relationships between parental biometry, intrauterine growth and neonatal outcomes, while factoring in socioeconomic status of historically disadvantaged households in rural India. Using data from the prospective longitudinal cohort, pregnant women from rural Pune, India (n = 134) were assessed between August 2020 and November 2022. Data on socio-demography, ultrasound measurements, parental and foetal anthropometry were collected. Multiple linear regression models were run to predict determinants of foetal intrauterine and neonatal growth (p value<0.05). The dependent variables were ultrasound measurements and neonatal biometry, and independent variables were gestational weight gain, parental and mid-parental height. Mean(±SD) maternal age, maternal height, paternal height and mid-parental height were 22.8±3.7 years, 153.6±5.5cm, 165.9±6.5cm and 159.1±8.7cm, respectively. Pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain was 20.5±4.0 kg/m2 and 9.8±3.7kg respectively. Mid-parental height and gestational weight gain were strongly correlated with neonatal growth and foetal intrauterine growth (p<0.05); however, the correlation peaked at 28 weeks of gestation (p<0.05). Gestational weight gain (B = 28.7, p = 0.001) and mid-parental height (B = 14.3, p = 0.001) were identified as strong determinants of foetal-intrauterine growth and neonatal anthropometry at birth. Maternal height was found to influence length of male neonate (B = 0.18, p = 0.001), whereas, paternal height influenced length of the female neonate (B = 0.11, p = 0.01). Parental socio-economic status, biometry and maternal gestational weight gain influence growth of the child starting from the intrauterine period. Our study underlines the need for interventions during pre-pregnancy, as well as during pregnancy, for optimal weight gain and improved foetal and neonatal outcomes.

Dexamethasone-induced intrauterine growth restriction modulates expression of placental vascular growth factors and fetal and placental growth

Prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids (GC) is a central topic of interest in medicine since GCs are essential for the maturation of fetal organs and intrauterine growth. Synthetic glucocorticoids, which are used in obstetric practice, exert beneficial effects on the fetus, but have also been reported to lead to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). In this study, a model of growth restriction in mice was established through maternal administration of dexamethasone during late gestation. We hypothesised that GC overexposure may adversely affect placental angiogenesis and fetal and placental growth. Female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to control or dexamethasone treatment, either left to give birth or euthanised on days 15, 16, 17 and 18 of gestation followed by collection of maternal and fetal tissue. The IUGR rate increased to 100% in the dexamethasone group (8 mg/kg body weight on gestational days 14 and 15) and pups had clinical features of symmetrical IUGR at birth. Dexamethasone administration significantly decreased maternal body weight gain and serum corticosterone levels. Moreover, prenatal dexamethasone treatment not only induced fetal growth retardation but also decreased placental weight. In IUGR placentas, VEGFA protein levels and mRNA expression of VEGF receptors were reduced and NOS activity was lower. Maternal dexamethasone administration also reduced placental expression of the GC receptor, αGR. We demonstrated that maternal dexamethasone administration causes fetal and placental growth restriction. Furthermore, we propose that the growth retardation induced by prenatal GC overexposure may be caused, at least partially, by an altered placental angiogenic profile.

Maternal lipid levels in pregnant women without complications in developing risk of large for gestational age newborns: a study of meta-analysis

Background: Circulating into foetal circulation across the placental barrier, abnormal maternal serum lipids predispose neonates to metabolic dysfunction and thereafter affect the steroid metabolism and functions of extra-embryonic foetal tissues. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed-MEDLINE and the Cochrane library between January 2010 and January 2020. The included studies were English case control studies that described original data on at least one raw lipid measurement during pregnancy in healthy women who delivered large for gestational age (LGA) newborns and in healthy women with non-LGA newborns. The data extracted from 12 studies were pooled, and the weighted mean difference (WMD) in lipid levels was calculated using random effects models. A meta-analysis was performed to identify sources of heterogeneity and to describe the significant value of the collected studies. Results: Of 649 published articles identified, a total of 12 met the inclusion criteria . Compared with women who had non-LGA newborns, those who had LGA newborns had significantly higher triglyceride (TG) levels (WMD = 0.28, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.54) and lower high density lipoprotein cholestrol (HDL-C) levels (WMD = 0.08, 95% CI -0.13 to -0.03), but not have significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Moreover, the levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) were inconsistent between both groups. Conclusions: High levels of TG and low levels of HDL-C could cause births of LGA newborns whereas maternal serum of TC, LDL-C and VLDL-C cannot be used as predictor of LGA.

Maternal lipid levels in pregnant women without complications in developing risk of large for gestational age newborns: a meta-analysis

Background: Circulating into foetal circulation across the placental barrier, abnormal maternal serum lipids predispose neonates to metabolic dysfunction and thereafter affect the steroid metabolism and functions of extra-embryonic foetal tissues. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed-MEDLINE and the Cochrane library between January 2010 and January 2020. The included studies were English case control studies that described original data on at least one raw lipid measurement during pregnancy in healthy women who delivered large for gestational age (LGA) newborns and in healthy women with non-LGA newborns. The data extracted from 12 studies were pooled, and the weighted mean difference (WMD) in lipid levels was calculated using random effects models. A meta-analysis was performed to identify sources of heterogeneity and to describe the significant value of the collected studies. Results: Of 643 publications identified, a total of 12 met the inclusion criteria . Compared with women who had non-LGA newborns, those who had LGA newborns had significantly higher triglyceride (TG) levels (WMD = 0.28, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.54) and lower high density lipoprotein cholestrol (HDL-C) levels (WMD = 0.08, 95% CI -0.13 to -0.03), but not have significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Moreover, the levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) were inconsistent between both groups. Conclusions: High levels of TG and low levels of HDL-C could cause births of LGA newborns whereas maternal serum of TC, LDL-C and VLDL-C cannot be used as predictor of LGA.

Caesarean sections are associated with sonographic determined fetal size from the second trimester onwards

Human birth represents a critical and life-threatening event in the life of mother and child and is therefore of special importance for anthropological as well as public health research.

Study aims: to analyze the association patterns between fetal biometry and delivery modes from the first trimester onwards.

In this electronic medical record-based study, a dataset of 3408 singleton term birth taking place at the Viennese Danube hospital in Austria. was analyzed. Fetal biometry was reconstructed by the results of three ultrasound examinations carried out at the 11th/12th, 20th/21th and 32th/33thweek of gestation. In detail, crown-rump length, biparietal diameter, fronto-occipital diameter, head circumference, abdominal trans-verse diameter, abdominal sagittal diameter, abdominal circumference, and femur length were determined. Birth weight, birth length and head circumference were measured immediately after birth. Four delivery modes were compared: spontaneous vaginal birth, instrumental vaginal birth, planned cesarean section and emergency cesarean section.

The total cesarean section rate was 10.2%. Fetal biometry and newborn size differed significantly between the four delivery modes. From the second trimester onward, head circumferences were significantly larger (p=0.005) among fetuses delivered by instrumental delivery or emergency cesarean section than among fetuses delivered by spontaneous vaginal birth. The fetal abdominal dimensions during the third trimester were significantly largest (p=0.001) among fetuses delivered by emergency cesarean section. In comparison to spontaneous vaginal delivery the risk to require instrumental delivery increased significantly with increasing fetal head dimensions at the second (p=0.019) and third trimester(p=0.032) independent of maternal somatic factors. The risk of emergency CS increased significantly with increasing head dimensions (p=0.030) as well as abdominal dimensions (p=0.001) at the third trimester and newborn size (p=0.002), also independently of maternal somatic factors.

In general, larger fetuses are on an increased risk of experiencing instrumental delivery or emergency caesarean section. This association between fetal size and delivery mode is detectable from the second trimester onwards.

The effect of metabolic syndrome and its components in midpregnancy on neonatal outcomes

Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome has been rising worldwide in recent decades. Determining the associations between metabolic syndrome and its components in midpregnancy with neonatal anthropometric indices and outcomes is a major challenge in both public health and clinical care. Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed on 238 pregnant women at 24-28 weeks of gestation. Metabolic syndrome was recognized with 3 or more of the following criteria: triglyceride ≥ 247 mg/dL; HDL < 61 mg/dL; GCT ≥ 140 mg/dL; prepregnancy body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2; and blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg. Statistical analysis was performed through descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage, Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, linear and logistic regression in SPSS 21.0. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: There was a significant association between blood hypertriglyceridemia in weeks 24-28 and anthropometric indices, including weight, height, and jaundice, in the first 24 hours of birth. Metabolic syndrome also had a significant relationship with jaundice (P=0.002). The results of linear regression analysis revealed that metabolic syndrome was positively associated with birth weight (B=0.18, P=0.003) and height (B=0.18, P=0.009). Among the components of metabolic syndrome, the results showed a direct relationship between increased blood triglyceride of the mother and newborn's weight (B=0.11, P=0.011) and height (B=0.14, P=0.007). Also, increased BMI had a significant direct relationship with the newborn's weight (B=0.11, P=0.023) and height (B=0.12, P=0.023). Moreover, decreased HDL had a significant reverse relationship with the newborn's weight (B=0.09, P=0.042). Conclusion: Presence of metabolic syndrome and its components in midpregnancy may influence neonatal outcomes, especially anthropometric indices. However, more studies should be conducted to further investigate these relationships.

Cord Leptin, C-Peptide and Insulin Levels in Large for Gestational Age Newborns in Sri Lanka

Background

Large for gestational age (LGA) infants are more prone to be obese and are at a higher risk of metabolic complications later in life. It is established that Asians have lower skeletal muscle mass and excess body fat for a given body mass index. Thus, objective of this study was to determine the relationship between leptin, insulin, C-peptide in cord blood on the birth weight of newborns and to determine whether these parameters are deviated from data already published from other populations.

Methods

Umbilical cord blood was collected from 90 newborns (male 50, gestational age 38–42 weeks) which comprise of 43 LGA and 47 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) newborns. Serum leptin, insulin and C-peptide levels were measured and anthropometric parameters of the newborn and maternal characteristics were recorded.

Results

Significantly higher (P < 0.001) concentrations of leptin, insulin and C-peptide levels (12.670 ± 2.345 ng/mL, 18.725 ± 0.644 µIU/mL, 9.318 ± 0.772 ng/mL) were observed in the LGA group compared to AGA group (7.108 ± 0.906 ng/mL, 13.081 ± 0.428 µIU/mL, 5.439 ± 0.192 ng/mL) and all three parameters showed positive and significant correlations with anthropometric parameters of the newborn and maternal characteristics.

Conclusion

Although increased leptin, insulin and C-peptide levels may be involved in insulin resistance, increased adiposity and macrosomia, they were not significantly deviated from published data from other populations. Other factors may contribute to higher fat mass found in Asian populations and finding this relationship during neonatal period is useful to predict risk factors for childhood obesity.

Studies in genetically modified mice implicate maternal HDL as a mediator of fetal growth

Studies in humans have shown a direct association between maternal plasma cholesterol concentrations and infant birthweight. Similarly, previous studies in our laboratory have shown that chow-fed mice lacking apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, the major protein in HDL, have low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations and smaller fetuses in midgestation. In the current study, we measured fetal weights in mice with varying levels of apoA-I gene dose (knockout, wild-type, and transgenic) and examined metabolic pathways known to affect fetal growth. As expected, we found the differences in apoA-I expression led to changes in HDL particle size and protein cargo as well as plasma cholesterol concentrations. Fetal masses correlated directly with maternal plasma cholesterol and apoA-I concentrations, but placental masses and histology did not differ between groups of mice. There was no significant difference in glucose or amino acid transport to the fetus or in expression levels of the glucose (glucose transporter 1 and 2) or amino acid (sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 1 and 2) transporters in whole placentas, although there was a trend for greater uptake of both nutrients in the whole fetal unit (fetus + placenta) of mice with greater apoA-I levels; significant differences in transport rates occurred when mice without apoA-I (knockout) vs. mice with apoA-I (wild-type and transgenic) were compared. Glucose tolerance tests were improved in the mice with the highest level of apoA-I, suggesting increased insulin-induced uptake of glucose by tissues of apoA-I transgenic mice. Thus, maternal HDL is associated with fetal growth, an effect that is likely mediated by plasma cholesterol or other HDL-cargo, including apolipoproteins or complement system proteins. A direct role of enhanced glucose and/or amino acid transport cannot be excluded.-Rebholz, S. L., Melchior, J. T., Davidson, W. S., Jones, H. N., Welge, J. A., Prentice, A. M., Moore, S. E., Woollett, L. A. Studies in genetically modified mice implicate maternal HDL as a mediator of fetal growth.

MATERNAL HEIGHT AND PRE-PREGNANCY WEIGHT STATUS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH FETAL GROWTH PATTERNS AND NEWBORN SIZE

The impact of maternal height, pre-pregnancy weight status and gestational weight gain on fetal growth patterns and newborn size was analysed using a dataset of 4261 singleton term births taking place at the Viennese Danube Hospital between 2005 and 2013. Fetal growth patterns were reconstructed from three ultrasound examinations carried out at the 11th/12th, 20th/21th and 32th/33th weeks of gestation. Crown–rump length, biparietal diameter, fronto-occipital diameter, head circumference, abdominal transverse diameter, abdominal anterior–posterior diameter, abdominal circumference and femur length were determined. Birth weight, birth length and head circumference were measured immediately after birth. The vast majority of newborns were of normal weight, i.e. between 2500 and 4000 g. Maternal height showed a just-significant but weak positive association (r=0.03: p=0.039) with crown–rump length at the first trimester and with the majority of fetal parameters at the second trimester (r>0.06; p<0.001) and third trimester (r>0.09; p<0.001). Pre-pregnancy weight status was significantly positively associated with nearly all fetal dimensions at the third trimester (r>0.08; p<0.001). Maternal height (r>0.17; p<0.001) and pre-pregnancy weight status (r>0.13; p<0.001), but also gestational weight gain (r>0.13; p<0.001), were significantly positively associated with newborn size. Some of these associations were quite weak and the statistical significance was mainly due to the large sample size. The association patterns between maternal height and pre-pregnancy weight status with fetal growth patterns (p<0.001), as well as newborn size (p<0.001), were independent of maternal age, nicotine consumption and fetal sex. In general, taller and heavier women gave birth to larger infants. This association between maternal size and fetal growth patterns was detectable from the first trimester onwards.

Effect of Maternal Factors and Fetomaternal Glucose Homeostasis on Birth Weight and Postnatal Growth

OBJECTIVE

It is important to identify the possible risk factors for the occurrence of large for gestational age (LGA) in newborns and to determine the effect of birth weight and metabolic parameters on subsequent growth. We aimed to determine the effects of maternal weight, weight gain during pregnancy, maternal hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-peptide and insulin as well as cord C-peptide and insulin levels on birth weight and postnatal growth during the first two years of life.

METHODS

Healthy, non-diabetic mothers and term singleton newborns were included in this prospective case-control cohort study. Fasting maternal glucose, HbA1c, C-peptide and insulin levels were studied. Cord blood was analyzed for C-peptide and insulin. At birth, newborns were divided into two groups according to birth size: LGA and appropriate for GA (AGA). Infants were followed at six-month intervals for two years and their length and weight were recorded.

RESULTS

Forty LGA and 43 AGA infants were included in the study. Birth weight standard deviation score (SDS) was positively correlated with maternal body mass index (BMI) before delivery (r=0.2, p=0.04) and with weight gain during pregnancy (r=0.2, p=0.04). In multivariate analyses, the strongest association with macrosomia was a maternal C-peptide level >3.85 ng/mL (OR=20). Although the LGA group showed decreased growth by the 6-month of follow-up, the differences between the LGA and AGA groups in weight and length SDS persisted over the 2 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The control of maternal BMI and prevention of overt weight gain during pregnancy may prevent excessive birth weight. The effect of the in utero metabolic environment on the weight and length SDS of infants born LGA persists until at least two years of age.

Placental weight: relation to maternal weight and growth parameters of full-term babies at birth and during childhood

Human growth is a continuous process. Studies defining placental effect on prenatal and postnatal human growth are few. We studied the anthropometric data of hundred mothers who gave birth at term after an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy, and their infants in relation to their placental weight using linear regression analysis. Mother weight, placental weight, and infant length (BL), weight (BW), and head circumference (HC) were obtained at birth and during childhood period (4.5 ± 2 years) of age. At birth, placental weights were correlated significantly with maternal weights (r = 0.21, P = 0.031). Placental weights were significantly correlated with growth parameters of the child at birth and during childhood. Infant BW (r = 0.71, r < 0.001), body mass index SDS (BMI SDS) (r = 0.589, P < 0.001), length SDS (LSDS) (0.567, P < 0.001) and HC (r = 0.699, P < 0.001). During childhood, placental weights were correlated with BMI SDS (r = 0.296, P = 0.002) and HtSDS = (r = 0.254, P = 0.009). LSDS at birth was correlated significantly with HtSDS during childhood (r = 0.445, P < 0.001). Placental weight represents a good marker of fetal growth (at birth) and significantly correlates with early childhood growth in full-term infants.