Abstract
BackgroundThe association between gestational weight gain and neonatal body composition has been inconsistent, exposing the need for further research. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether gestational weight gain influences the body composition of full-term newborns and infants up to 4 months old.MethodsA cohort study was performed with 124 participants divided into categories of gestational weight gain according to the 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines. The anthropometric and body composition data of newborns and infants acquired using air displacement plethysmography (PeaPod®) were collected at 96 h, 1 month, 2 months and 4 months of life. In the statistical analysis, the chi-square test was used to analyze categorical variables, and ANOVA was used to analyze numerical variables. Univariate analysis was performed, and the absolute and relative frequencies of the categorical variables, as well as mean and standard deviation of the numerical variables, were obtained. Bivariate analysis was performed for the categories of gestational weight gain and gestational and neonatal characteristics. When adjustments to gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and pregestational body mass index (BMI) were analyzed by linear regression, gestational weight gain remained a significant variable for newborn percent fat mass. For all analyses, a significance level of 5% was adopted.ResultsGestational weight gain was adequate in 33.8% of the participants, excessive in 41.1% and insufficient in 25%. Women with excessive weight gain had higher pregestational BMIs and a higher incidence of gestational hypertension. Their newborns had a higher body mass, body fat mass in grams and percent fat mass than the infants born to mothers with adequate or insufficient gestational weight gain. No significant differences were observed in body composition at 1, 2 and 4 months of life during infant follow-up.ConclusionExcessive gestational weight gain may alter the body composition of newborns at birth. Further studies are required to better evaluate infant follow-up.Trial registrationClinical Trial Registry: NCT00875251 on April 3, 2009.
Highlights
The association between gestational weight gain and neonatal body composition has been inconsistent, exposing the need for further research
The mothers were divided into three groups according to gestational weight gain following the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines: appropriate (33.8%), excessive (41,1%) and insufficient (25%)
Ethnicity, marital status, percentage working outside the home, smoking status, number of prenatal visits, proportion of cesarean deliveries, and incidence of gestational diabetes were similar among groups (Table 1)
Summary
The association between gestational weight gain and neonatal body composition has been inconsistent, exposing the need for further research. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether gestational weight gain influences the body composition of full-term newborns and infants up to 4 months old. The prevalence of obesity has been increasing at an epidemic rate over the last 30 years [1]. WHO data indicate that 39% of adults older than 18 years of age were overweight and 13% were obese in 2016. Among children under 5 years old, 41 million were overweight or obese. In Brazil, more than 30% of children aged 5– 10 years of age are overweight, and approximately 14% are obese [2]. An adverse intrauterine environment may increase the risk for obesity and, their related pathologies, such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance [5, 6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
