scholarly journals Biological indicators of the in-utero environment and their association with birth weight for gestational age

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 280-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. M. Talge ◽  
C. Holzman ◽  
P. K. Senagore ◽  
M. Klebanoff ◽  
R. Fisher

Birth weight for gestational age (BW/GA) has been associated with a risk of adverse health outcomes. Biological indices of pregnancy complications, maternal mid-pregnancy serum biomarkers and placental pathology may shed light on these associations, but at present, they are most often examined as single entities and offer little insight about overlap. In addition, these indices are typically assessed in relation to the extremes of the BW/GA distribution, leaving open the question of how they relate to the entire BW/GA distribution. Addressing issues such as these may help elucidate why postnatal health outcomes vary across the BW/GA continuum. In this study, we focused on a subset of women who participated in the Pregnancy Outcomes and Community Health Study (n = 1371). We examined BW/GA (i.e. gestational age and sex-referenced z-scores) in relation to obstetric complications, second trimester maternal serum screening results and histologic evidence of placental pathology along with maternal demographics, anthropometrics and substance use. In adjusted models, mean reductions in BW/GA z-scores were associated with preeclampsia (β = −0.70, 95% CI −1.04, −0.36), high maternal serum alpha fetoprotein (β = −0.28, 95% CI −0.43, −0.13), unconjugated estriol (β = −0.31/0.5 multiples of the median decrease, 95% CI −0.41, −0.21) and high levels of maternal obstructive vascular pathology in the placenta (β = −0.46, 95% CI −0.67, −0.25). The findings were similar when preterm infants, small-for-gestational age or large-for-gestational age infants were excluded. More research is needed to examine how the factors studied here might directly mediate or mark risk when evaluating the associations between BW/GA and postnatal health outcomes.

Author(s):  
Ulla Sovio ◽  
Neil Goulding ◽  
Nancy McBride ◽  
Emma Cook ◽  
Francesca Gaccioli ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Excessive birth weight is associated with maternal and neonatal complications. However, ultrasonically estimated large for gestational age (LGA; >90th percentile) predicts these complications poorly. Objective To determine whether a maternal serum metabolite ratio developed for fetal growth restriction (FGR) is predictive of birth weight across the whole range, including LGA at birth. Methods Metabolites were measured using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. The 4-metabolite ratio was previously derived from an analysis of FGR cases and a random subcohort from the Pregnancy Outcome Prediction study. Here, we evaluated its relationship at 36 weeks of gestational age (wkGA) with birth weight in the subcohort (n = 281). External validation in the Born in Bradford (BiB) study (n = 2366) used the metabolite ratio at 24 to 28 wkGA. Results The inverse of the metabolite ratio at 36 wkGA predicted LGA at term [the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC) = 0.82, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.91, P = 6.7 × 10−5]. The ratio was also inversely associated with birth weight z score (linear regression, beta = −0.29 SD, P = 2.1 × 10−8). Analysis in the BiB cohort confirmed that the ratio at 24 to 28 wkGA predicted LGA (AUROCC = 0.60, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.67, P = 8.6 × 10−5) and was inversely associated with birth weight z score (beta = −0.12 SD, P = 1.3 × 10−9). Conclusions A metabolite ratio which is strongly predictive of FGR is equally predictive of LGA birth weight and is inversely associated with birth weight across the whole range.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R Hussey ◽  
Amber Burt ◽  
Maya A Deyssenroth ◽  
Brian P Jackson ◽  
Ke Hao ◽  
...  

Abstract Heavy metal exposures, such as cadmium, can have negative effects on infant birth weight (BW)—among other developmental outcomes—with placental dysfunction potentially playing a role in these effects. In this study, we examined how differential placental expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may be associated with cadmium levels in placenta and whether differences in the expression of those lncRNAs were associated with fetal growth. In the Rhode Island Child Health Study, we used data from Illumina HiSeq whole transcriptome RNA sequencing (n = 199) to examine association between lncRNA expression and measures of infant BW as well as placental cadmium concentrations controlled for appropriate covariates. Of the 1191 lncRNAs sequenced, 46 demonstrated associations (q < 0.05) with BW in models controlling for infant sex, maternal age, BMI, maternal education, and smoking during pregnancy. Furthermore, four of these transcripts were associated with placental cadmium concentrations, with MIR22HG and ERVH48-1 demonstrating increases in expression associated with increasing cadmium exposure and elevated odds of small for gestational age birth, while AC114763.2 and LINC02595 demonstrated reduced expression associated with cadmium, but elevated odds of large for gestational age birth with increasing expression. We identified relationships between lncRNA expression with both placental cadmium concentrations and BW. This study provides evidence that disrupted placental expression of lncRNAs may be a part of cadmium’s mechanisms of reproductive toxicity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serdar Beken ◽  
Saygin Abali ◽  
Neslihan Yildirim Saral ◽  
Bengisu Guner ◽  
Taha Dinc ◽  
...  

Introduction: Restricted or enhanced intrauterine growth is associated with elevated risks of early and late metabolic problems in humans. Metabolomics based on amino acid and carnitine/acylcarnitine profile may have a role in fetal and early postnatal energy metabolism. In this study, the relationship between intrauterine growth status and early metabolomics profile was evaluated.Materials and Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted. Three hundred and sixty-one newborn infants were enrolled into the study, and they were grouped according to their birth weight percentile as small for gestational age (SGA, n = 69), appropriate for gestational age (AGA, n = 168), and large for gestational age (LGA, n = 124) infants. In all infants, amino acid and carnitine/acylcarnitine profiles with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were recorded and compared between groups.Results: LGA infants had higher levels of glutamic acid and lower levels of ornithine, alanine, and glycine (p < 0.05) when compared with AGA infants. SGA infants had higher levels of alanine and glycine levels when compared with AGA and LGA infants. Total carnitine, C0, C2, C4, C5, C10:1, C18:1, C18:2, C14-OH, and C18:2-OH levels were significantly higher and C3 and C6-DC levels were lower in SGA infants (p < 0.05). LGA infants had higher C3 and C5:1 levels and lower C18:2 and C16:1-OH levels (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations between free carnitine and phenylalanine, arginine, methionine, alanine, and glycine levels (p < 0.05). Also, a positive correlation between ponderal index and C3, C5-DC, C14, and C14:1 and a negative correlation between ponderal index and ornithine, alanine, glycine, C16:1-OH, and C18:2 were shown.Conclusion: We demonstrated differences in metabolomics possibly reflecting the energy metabolism in newborn infants with intrauterine growth problems in the early postnatal period. These differences might be the footprints of metabolic disturbances in future adulthood.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 814-819
Author(s):  
Paul Y. K. Wu ◽  
Gary Rockwell ◽  
Linda Chan ◽  
Shu-Mei Wang ◽  
Vikram Udani

Colloid osmotic pressure (COP) of blood was measured directly at birth with the Wescor membrane colloid osmometer (model 4100) in 91 appropriately grown, 11 large, and nine small for gestational age "well" newborn infants. COP correlated directly with birth weight (r = .726, P < .00001) and gestational age (r = .753, P < .00001). COP values for small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) infants were found to fall within the 95% prediction interval with regard to birth weight and gestational age for appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. Simultaneous measurements of COP, total serum solids, and central arterial mean blood pressure were made. The results showed that COP correlated directly with total serum solids (r = .89, P < .0001) and mean arterial blood pressure (r = .660, P < .001). Among the factors evaluated, total serum solids was the best predictor of COP.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rima Irwinda ◽  
Budi Iman Santoso ◽  
Raymond Surya ◽  
Lidia Firmiaty Nembo

BACKGROUND Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) causes high maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aims to assess the impact of PIH on fetal growth according to gestational age in preterm deliveries.METHODS A prospective cohort study using secondary data was undertaken in Ende District, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia from September 2014 to August 2015. The t-test was performed to compare mean birth weight based on gestational week between normotensive and PIH women, continued by linear regression. The chi-square or Fisher exact test was also conducted to determine the probability of birthing small for the gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) babies between normotensive and PIH women.RESULTS A total of 1,673 deliveries were recorded in Ende Hospital over the 1-year study period, among which 182 cases involved preterm births. The PIH group had lower birth weight than normotensive women at each gestational age starting from 32–35 weeks (p=0.004; 95% CI 150.84–771.36). Normotensive women at gestational ages of 32 (p=0.05; 95% CI 0.01–0.83), 34 (p=0.37; 95% CI 0.01–4.12), and 36 (p=0.31; 95% CI 0.02–2.95) weeks had a lower risk of birthing SGA babies than PIH women; LGA babies were recorded at gestational ages of 33 (p=1.00; 95% CI 0.07–37.73) and 35 (p=0.31; 95% CI 0.34–63.07) weeks.CONCLUSIONS Poor perfusion of the uteroplacental is one of the reasons behind intrauterine growth restriction, which results in SGA babies born to PIH women.


Author(s):  
Annie M. Dude ◽  
William Grobman ◽  
David Haas ◽  
Brian M. Mercer ◽  
Samuel Parry ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To determine the association between total gestational weight gain and perinatal outcomes. Study Design Data from the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-To-Be (NuMoM2b) study were used. Total gestational weight gain was categorized as inadequate, adequate, or excessive based on the 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines. Outcomes examined included hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, mode of delivery, shoulder dystocia, large for gestational age or small for-gestational age birth weight, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Results Among 8,628 women, 1,666 (19.3%) had inadequate, 2,945 (34.1%) had adequate, and 4,017 (46.6%) had excessive gestational weight gain. Excessive gestational weight gain was associated with higher odds of hypertensive disorders (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.05, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.78–2.36) Cesarean delivery (aOR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.09–1.41), and large for gestational age birth weight (aOR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.23–1.80), but lower odds of small for gestational age birth weight (aOR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.50–0.71). Conversely, inadequate gestational weight gain was associated with lower odds of hypertensive disorders (aOR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.62–0.92), Cesarean delivery (aOR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.65–0.92), and a large for gestational age birth weight (aOR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55–0.94), but higher odds of having a small for gestational age birth weight (aOR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.37–1.96). Conclusion Both excessive and inadequate gestational weight gain are associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
José G. B. Derraik ◽  
Sarah E. Maessen ◽  
John D. Gibbins ◽  
Wayne S. Cutfield ◽  
Maria Lundgren ◽  
...  

AbstractWhile there is evidence that being born large-for-gestational-age (LGA) is associated with an increased risk of obesity later in life, the data are conflicting. Thus, we aimed to examine the associations between proportionality at birth and later obesity risk in adulthood. This was a retrospective study using data recorded in the Swedish Birth Register. Anthropometry in adulthood was assessed in 195,936 pregnant women at 10–12 weeks of gestation. All women were born at term (37–41 weeks of gestation). LGA was defined as birth weight and/or length ≥2.0 SDS. Women were separated into four groups: appropriate-for-gestational-age according to both weight and length (AGA – reference group; n = 183,662), LGA by weight only (n = 4,026), LGA by length only (n = 5,465), and LGA by both weight and length (n = 2,783). Women born LGA based on length, weight, or both had BMI 0.12, 1.16, and 1.08 kg/m2 greater than women born AGA, respectively. The adjusted relative risk (aRR) of obesity was 1.50 times higher for those born LGA by weight and 1.51 times for LGA by both weight and height. Length at birth was not associated with obesity risk. Similarly, women born LGA by ponderal index had BMI 1.0 kg/m2 greater and an aRR of obesity 1.39 times higher than those born AGA. Swedish women born LGA by weight or ponderal index had an increased risk of obesity in adulthood, irrespective of their birth length. Thus, increased risk of adult obesity seems to be identifiable from birth weight and ignoring proportionality.


2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-256
Author(s):  
Helen Anderson ◽  
Naomi Fogel ◽  
Stefan K. Grebe ◽  
Ravinder J. Singh ◽  
Robert L. Taylor ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Context Prenatal androgen excess can cause a phenocopy of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in mammals. Retrospective studies have suggested that girls at risk for PCOS have low birth weight and prospective studies have suggested an increased prevalence of small for gestational age offspring in women with PCOS. Objective To determine whether infants of women with PCOS have reduced birth weight or increased intrauterine androgen levels. Design Prospective case-control study. Participants Thirty-nine PCOS and 31 control women and their infants. Main outcome measures Birth weight and mixed cord blood testosterone, androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, estradiol (E2), and dihydrotestosterone levels. Results Mean birth weight did not differ but there was a significant increase in the prevalence of large for gestational age infants in the PCOS group. Cord blood E2 and A levels were lower (p < 0.05) but testosterone:E2 ratios did not differ in female PCOS compared to control offspring. There was no difference in E2 and A levels in the male PCOS and control offspring. There was no difference in 17-hydroxyprogesterone or in other androgen levels in either male or female PCOS offspring compared to their respective control group. Conclusion Infants of women with PCOS were more likely to be large for gestational age. Female offspring of affected women have lower cord blood A levels; other cord blood androgen levels do not differ compared to female control offspring. Cord blood E2 levels are also significantly decreased in PCOS, without any difference in the testosterone:E2 ratio, suggesting decreased fetal or placental production of steroids.


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