Abstract
Background The growth of the fetus is a complex process influenced by multiple factors. Studies have highlighted the important role of biochemical growth markers such as leptin and adiponectin on fetal growth. Objective To compare fetal growth trajectories with biochemical growth markers from maternal blood samples at 28 weeks' gestation, cord blood samples at birth, and in child blood samples at 5 years of age from mother-infant pairs who were part of the longitudinal ROLO study. Methods 781 mother-infant pairs from the ROLO and ROLO Kids study were included. Ultrasound measurements and birth weight were used to develop fetal growth trajectory groups for estimated abdominal circumference and estimated weight. Blood serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, insulin, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 from maternal, cord, and 5-year child samples were recorded. ANOVA and chi-square tests were applied to test the associations between fetal growth trajectory membership and maternal and child biochemical growth indicators. The influence of child sex was also investigated. Results Male sex was associated with a faster weight trajectory compared to females (p=0.001). At 28 weeks' gestation, maternal leptin levels were significantly higher in mothers with a fetus on a slower estimated abdominal circumference trajectory compared to fast (25616 [IQR: 11656.0 to 35341.0] vs. 14753.8 [IQR: 8565.4 to 24308.1], p < 0.001) and maternal adiponectin levels were lower in fetuses on a slower estimated abdominal circumference trajectory compared to a fast trajectory (22.4 [IQR: 13.6 to 35.9] vs. 27.6 [IQR: 17.6 to 46.3], p=0.027). No associations were noted with inflammatory markers. No associations were identified between fetal growth trajectories and growth markers at 5 years of age. Conclusions This study shows that male sex is associated with an accelerated estimated weight trajectory. Furthermore, high leptin and low adiponectin in maternal serum in late gestation are associated with a slower fetal growth trajectory. No associations were identified with blood growth markers after pregnancy.
Highlights
Background. e growth of the fetus is a complex process influenced by multiple factors
Delivery of nutrients to the fetus is a complex process regulated by insulin signaling and interaction with various cytokines, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) [5]
A number of studies have compared cord levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in growth restricted fetuses to well grown controls and found significant elevations in TNFalpha and IL-6 [34, 35]. Both TNF-alpha and IL-6 stimulate placental amino acid transport and Il-6 upregulates fatty acid uptake in trophoblast cells [36]. Studies on these growth biomarkers to date have been cross-sectional, focusing on one time point and analysis on longitudinal samples and growth patterns are limited. e purpose of this study is to explore the role of fetal sex and the adipokines leptin and adiponectin, insulin, and the cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 in fetal and child blood and to assess their association, if any, with fetal growth trajectories
Summary
Fetal Growth Trajectories and Their Association with Maternal, Cord Blood, and 5-year Child Adipokines. Studies have highlighted the important role of biochemical growth markers such as leptin and adiponectin on fetal growth. To compare fetal growth trajectories with biochemical growth markers from maternal blood samples at 28 weeks’ gestation, cord blood samples at birth, and in child blood samples at 5 years of age from mother-infant pairs who were part of the longitudinal ROLO study. High leptin and low adiponectin in maternal serum in late gestation are associated with a slower fetal growth trajectory. E role of metabolic markers such as leptin and adiponectin in this process has received increasing interest and there is an abundance of evidence that maternal nutritional status and body mass index influence fetal growth [2]. Delivery of nutrients to the fetus is a complex process regulated by insulin signaling and interaction with various cytokines, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
