Relationship of maternal amino acids and proteins to fetal growth and mental development

Abstract

The relationship of maternal amino acids, proteins, and certain other factors to fetal development (weight and cranial volume at birth and mental and motor scores at 8 months of age) was investigated in 129 gravidas. Maternal prepregnancy weight was significantly related to birth weight and cranial volume in the newborn. Among amino acids, glycine, lysine, and total amino acids were positively correlated with birth weight, whereas valine and threonine showed a negative correlation. Cranial volume at birth was significantly related to the level of glycine and alpha1 globulin. Other protein and amino acids which contributed to cranial volume included threonine, histidine, glutamic acid, and beta globulin, negatively correlated, whereas glutamine was positively correlated. Alpha1 globulin (negatively) and glycine (positively) made significant contributions to motor development. For mental development, alpha 1 globulin and histidine showed a negative correlation, whereas isoleucine was positively correlated. Findings indicated that the concentrations of certain maternal amino acids and proteins in the third trimester of pregnancy correlated significantly with fetal growth and development. This study suggests: (1) specific proteins or amino acids may be responsible for different developmental measures; (2) injudicious dietary restrictions in pregnancy should be avoided; (3) the determination of alpha1 globulin and a few amino acids such as glycine, lysine, and histidine in late pregancy may be used as predictors of fetal growth and development.