Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim of the present study is to identify the average effect across different time points and to specify the time effects of maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and weekly gestational weight gain on the mental development and physical growth of infants.MethodsThe present cohort study used a repeated measures study design that began in 2004 with follow up at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. The participants were a subset from a controlled, cluster-randomized, double-blind trial. Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) were used to estimate the mental development of infants. A generalized estimating equation linear model was used to estimate the effects of maternal BMI and weight gain.ResultsThe average effect of maternal BMI and weight gain on the weight for age Z scores (WAZ), length for age Z scores (LAZ) and mental development index (MDI) across the different time points of infants was significant. In addition, the maternal BMI and weight gain were positively and significantly associated with the WAZ and LAZ in infants of different ages. However, the effect of weekly gestational weight gain was significant only during the earlier period of life (3 months, Coefficient: 11.15, 95%CI: 4.89–17.41).ConclusionsOur results indicate positive effects of pre-pregnancy and prenatal nutrition on the physical growth of infants. Weekly gestational weight gain of the pregnant women had a positive effect on the mental development of the infants, but this effect appears to decline over time.
Highlights
The intellectual development and physical growth in the early life are important for future health and wellbeing
For the characteristics of children, the highest means of the weight for age Z scores (WAZ), length for age Z scores (LAZ), weight for length Z scores (WLZ) and mental development index (MDI) were in the maternal overweight/obesity group
Compared to the maternal underweight group, the WAZ, WLZ and LAZ of the infants were higher in the maternal normal BMI group
Summary
The intellectual development and physical growth in the early life are important for future health and wellbeing. Evidence from a cohort study conducted in the United States showed a significant association between the maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and body size of infants at 6 months of age [7] Another US cohort study found a positive effect of maternal weight gain during pregnancy on the prevalence of overweight children 3 years of age [8]. A large prospective, population-based birth cohort study conducted in the United Kingdom reported a significant association between the maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and children’s cognitive performance [9] Another UK cohort study reported that the gestational weight gain was positively associated with the school entry assessment scores of (2019) 18:6 children at 4 years of age [10]. The comprehensive evaluation of the average effect on the mental development and physical growth of infants has rarely been studied
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