Fetal Body Size Research Articles

HISTOSTRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS IN THE CEREBRAL ARCHITECTURE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRESSION OF ALCOHOL INTOXICATION: AN EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS

The aim of this study is to evaluate the histological changes in the cerebellum of rat brains following chronic alcohol intoxication. Materials and Methods. We employed a classical approach for modeling chronic alcohol intoxication by administering 40% ethanol to rats (n=55) in a dosage of 2 ml per 100 g of body weight daily for three months. The cerebellar structure was then analyzed. Results. This study investigates the impact of chronic alcohol intoxication on the histological structures of the cerebellar cortex. The cerebellum, like the nervous system overall, possesses a significant cellular and functional reserve. However, teratogenic factors, including ethanol, notably influence the activity of cerebellar neurons, increasing it. Ethanol exposure during early pregnancy can lead to prenatal growth retardation, stillbirth, cleft palate, hydrocephaly, and reductions in fetal body size. There is evidence suggesting a correlation between blood ethanol levels and a reduction in the number of Purkinje cells. Chronic alcohol consumption results in cerebellar ataxia, alterations in upper limb movements, decreased reaction speeds, reduced attention concentration, impaired coordination accuracy, and disturbances in postural stability and balance. Conclusion. The cerebellum, especially during development, is particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of alcohol. Recent research suggests that changes in the neurotransmission of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-dependent receptors may contribute to cerebellar dysfunction induced by ethanol. Ethanol exposure increases the release of GABA not only in Purkinje cells but also in the interneurons of the molecular layer and granule cells.

Decreased head circumference at birth associated with maternal tobacco smoke exposure during pregnancy on the Japanese prospective birth cohort study

Maternal tobacco smoke exposure during pregnancy impairs fetal body size, including head circumference (HC) at birth; however, the mechanism still remains unclear. This analysis using a large prospective cohort study evaluated the impact of maternal tobacco exposure on their offspring’s HC and the relationship with placental weight ratio (PWR) and placental abnormalities. Parents-children pairs (n = 84,856) were included from the 104,065 records of the Japan Environmental and Children’s Study. Maternal perinatal clinical and social information by self-administered questionnaires, offspring’s body size, and placental information were collected. Data were analyzed with binominal logistic regression analysis and path analysis. Logistic regression showed significantly elevated adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (1.653, 95% CI 1.387–1.969) for the impact of maternal smoking during pregnancy on their offspring’s smaller HC at birth. Maternal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the non-smoking group did not increase aOR for the smaller HC. Path analysis showed that maternal smoking during pregnancy decreased the offspring’s HC directly, but not indirectly via PWR or placental abnormalities. The quitting smoking during pregnancy group did not increase aOR for the smaller HC than the non-smoking group, suggesting that quitting smoking may reduce their offspring’s neurological impairment even after pregnancy.

Influence of aerobic exercise on maternal lipid levels and offspring morphometrics

Maternal BMI, lipid levels (cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL), and exercise amount are interrelated and each influence offspring body size. This study proposed to determine the influence of exercise on maternal lipid levels and infant body size. We had 36 participants complete these measures. Participants in the aerobic exercise intervention (n = 14) completed three 50-min sessions weekly from 16 weeks gestation to delivery and were compared with a non-exercise control group (n = 22). Maternal lipid profiles were assessed at 16 and at 36 weeks gestation. Fetal body size was measured at 36 weeks gestational age using ultrasound assessment. Neonatal body size measures were acquired from birth records. Statistical analysis included two-sample t-tests, correlations, and regression models. Participants were similar in age, pre-pregnancy BMI, gravida, parity, education, and gestational weight gain (GWG). There were no differences in gestational age, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min for infants of exercisers relative to controls. Exercisers had higher pre-training triglycerides (p = 0.004) and pregnancy change in triglycerides (p = 0.049) compared to controls. Head circumference was significantly larger in exercise exposed infants relative to infants of controls. Pregnancy METs had a positive relationship with birth length (r = .445, p = .006) and birth weight (r = .391, p = .02). GWG had a moderate, positive relationship with fetal abdominal circumference (r = .570, p = .004). Regression analysis indicated 5 predictors explained 61.7% of the variance in birth weight (Adj.R2 = 0.469, F(5,13) = 5,13, p = 0.02); it was found that pregnancy METs (β = .724, p = .007), 36 week cholesterol (β = 1.066, p = .02), and 36 week LDL (β = -1.267, p = .006) significantly predict birth weight. Regression analysis indicated 4 predictors explained 43.8% of the variance in birth length (Adj.R2 = 0.306, F(4,17) = 3.32, p = 0.04); it was found that pregnancy METs (β = .530, p = .03), and 36 week LDL (β = -.891, p = .049) significantly predict birth length. The primary association and predictors of infant body size was related to pregnancy exercise and late pregnancy cholesterol and LDL levels. Considering these relationships, it is essential that women maintain aerobic exercise during pregnancy, but should also be cognizant of lipid levels during their pregnancy. Therefore intervention during pregnancy focused on infant body size should involve exercise and and quality nutritional intake foods during pregnancy.

Neonatal Arterial Morphology Is Related to Body Size in Abnormal Human Fetal Growth.

Restriction in fetal growth is associated with cardiovascular disease in adulthood. It is unclear whether abnormal intrauterine growth influences arterial morphology during the fetal or neonatal stage. The objective was to study the regional arterial morphology with respect to gestational age and abnormal fetal body size. We studied body anthropometrics and arterial morphology and physiology in 174 neonates born between 31 and 42 weeks of gestation, including neonates with birth weights appropriate, small, and large for age, with very high resolution vascular ultrasound (35-55 MHz). In simple linear regressions, parameters of body size (body weight, body surface area, and organ circumference) and gestational age were statistically significantly associated with common carotid, brachial, femoral arterial parameters (lumen diameter [LD], wall layer thickness [intima-media thickness and intima-media-adventitia thickness], and carotid artery wall stress [CAWS]). Male sex was statistically significantly associated with LD and CAWS. In multiple linear regression models, body size, gestational age, and sex explained a large proportion of the arterial variance (R( 2) range, 0.37-0.47 for LD; 0.09-0.35 for intima-media thickness; 0.21-0.41 for intima-media-adventitia thickness; and 0.23 for CAWS; all models P<0.001). Arterial wall layer thickness, LDs, and CAWS were independently and strongly predicted by body size, and no effect of maternal disease was observed when added to the models. Gestational age and male sex were also independently but more weakly associated with arterial LDs and CAWS (P<0.01), but not with arterial wall layers. These results indicate that the intrauterine growth of fetal arterial LD and wall layer thickness are primarily attributed to body growth overall. LD and CAWS show weaker association with gestational age and sex.

Canine fetal echocardiography: correlations for the analysis of cardiac dimensions.

The aim of this study was to develop regression models for correlation of canine fetal heart development with body size to characterize normal development or suggest cardiac anomalies. Twenty clinically healthy pregnant bitches, either brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic, were examined ultrasonographically. Transabdominal fetal echocardiography was conducted every 4 days from the beginning of cardiac chambers differentiation until parturition. Ten cardiac parameters were measured: length, width and diameter of the heart; heart area; left and right ventricular dimensions; left and right atrial dimensions; and aortic and pulmonary artery diameter. Femoral length, biparietal diameter and abdominal cross-sectional area were also recorded. Regression equations were developed for each parameter of fetal body size, and linear and logarithmic models were compared. The model with the highest correlation coefficient was chosen to produce equations to calculate relative dimensions based on the correlations. Only the left-ventricular chamber differed between the two racial groups. Biparietal diameter was the independent parameter that produced the highest correlation coefficient for the most fetal cardiac dimensions, although good correlations were also observed using femoral length and abdominal cross-sectional area. Heart width and heart diameter were used as surrogates of cardiac development, as these measurements showed the best statistical correlation. Quantitative evaluation of fetal cardiac structures can be used to monitor normal and abnormal cardiac development.

Prediction of pulmonary hypoplasia in mid‐trimester preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: research or clinical practice?

Prediction of pulmonary hypoplasia in mid‐trimester preterm prelabor rupture of membranes: research or clinical practice?

Cord Blood Adiponectin and Insulin-like Growth Factor-I in Term Neonates of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Mothers: Relationship to Fetal Growth

Methods: Cord blood adiponectin and IGF-I were compared between mothers with GDM (GDM group, N=53) and controls (non-GDM group, N=101). Neonates were classified into three groups of small for gestational age (SGA, N=26), appropriate for gestational age (AGA, N=97), and large for gestational age (LGA, N=31) by birth weight. The association between cord adiponectin and IGF-I levels was evaluated in relation to maternal and neonatal clinical data. Results: Cord adiponectin was lower in the GDM group than in the non-GDM group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in cord adiponectin among the SGA, AGA, and LGA groups in the GDM group (P=0.228). The cord adiponectin of AGA in the GDM group was significantly lower than that in the non-GDM group (P<0.001). The most powerful predictor affecting cord adiponectin was the result of maternal 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. The cord IGF-I values between the GDM group and the non-GDM group were not different ( P=0.834). Neonates with the heavier birth weight had the higher cord IGF-I levels. The most powerful predictor affecting cord IGF-I was birth weight and the next was maternal parity. Conclusion: Both cord blood adiponectin and IGF-I were associated with fetal growth, but IGF-I was a more general and direct factor affecting fetal body size, and adiponectin seemed to have more association with insulin sensitivity than growth.

A Retrospective Fetal Ultrasound Study of Brain Size in Autism

Despite evidence of possible abnormalities during fetal development, no study to date has attempted to investigate fetal brain growth in autism. Fetal head circumference (HC) and biparietal diameter (BPD) are highly correlated with fetal brain volume and are measured on fetal ultrasounds. We used retrospective fetal ultrasound data to examine fetal head and body size during midgestation in children later diagnosed with autism. Second trimester fetal ultrasounds were collected for 45 autistic subjects and 222 control subjects. The HC, BPD, abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) measurements were extracted from the ultrasound records and standardized. The standardized growth parameters and discrepancies between them were compared in autism and control subjects. The autism group did not differ significantly from control subjects on individual measures of standardized HC, BPD, AC, and FL. Fetal HC was normal in the autism group. Preliminary findings suggest a tendency for fetal BPD to be large relative to HC in the autism group. An index of fetal body size, AC was significantly decreased in multiplex compared with simplex autism, and HC showed a trend decrease. The rate of pyelectasis was increased and breech position decreased in the autism group. No lateral ventricle abnormalities were reported. This preliminary study suggests that fetal head circumference is not abnormal in autism. The preliminary findings identify a subtle disturbance in uniformity of fetal brain growth and in renal development in some autistic cases, and differences in fetal development between simplex and multiplex autism.

Scaling approach to study the changes through the gestation of human fetal cardiac and circulatory behaviors.

During human gestation, fetal body size increases considerably and important transformations occur to hemodynamics of the cardiovascular system of the fetus. Vascular compliances and resistances as well as the cardiac function show important changes. In order to investigate these modifications, a mathematical approach based on scaling techniques was developed. Vascular and cardiac parameters of the human fetus were related by allometric equations to the anatomical dimensions of vessels that, in turn, depend on the fetal body weight and the gestational age. A scaling factor (b) was identified for each parameter under study: vascular resistances and flow inertances decrease with gestational age (b= -0.33 for flow inertances) whereas vascular compliances remarkably increase (b= 1.33). Scaling factors were also adopted for the fetal cardiac parameters, according to experimental data on the development of fetal myocardium. Parameter values calculated for each week of the last trimester of the fetal gestation, were tested using a mathematical lumped parameter model, previously developed for a human fetus near the term of the gestation. The validation of the scaling method adopted for the parameters was performed by comparing the results of the simulations with a group of data obtained by Doppler velocimetry at different stages of fetal normal gestation. The adopted allometric equations were appropriate in describing the development of the human fetal circulatory system. The ductus venosus, the ductus arteriosus, and the foramen ovale, that conclude their function at the birth moment, as well as the lungs and the brain, do not follow the general growth rate and require different scaling factors.

Morphometric studies on the fetal development of the human mandible

Serial sections of eleven human mandibles of embryos and fetuses ranging in size from 18 mm CRL to 66 mm CRL were computer-graphically reconstructed. The extension of the Meckel cartilage and the mandibular bony structures were morphometrically studied. In emphasis the study encompassed measurements portraying length, width, dorsal opening angle, and the position of the mental foramen. In addition five mandibles of human embryos and fetuses with a size range between 30 and 50 mm CRL were radiographically examined. Results showed that in the younger specimens between 21 and 29 CRL size development of the structures of the mandible and the development of overall fetal body size take place independently from each other. During further development a change in the form of the mandible from a wide V over an acute V to a more rounded U form was observed.

Fetal growth control: the role of insulin and related peptides.

Both insulin and the related peptides, the insulin-like growth factors/somatomedins, may function as anabolic factors in the regulation of fetal body size. Infants born to women suffering from diabetes mellitus may show increased deposition of subcutaneous fat and enhanced lean body mass, findings reproduced in experimental animal fetuses with induced hyperinsulinaemia. Fetal adiposity may be associated with a life-time tendency to obesity and its associated diseases. Insulin-like growth factors I (IGFI) and II are present in the circulation of the newborn infant and animal fetus and correlate positively with birth size. The fetal tissues are biologically responsive to IGFs in vitro and are rich in specific cell membrane receptors, those predominantly recognizing IGFI being structurally and functionally similar to the insulin receptor. Insulin could theoretically influence fetal tissues by an interaction with either the insulin or IGF receptor. IGF release is a property of multiple fetal tissues in vitro, but, in contrast to postnatal life, is not dependent on growth hormone. Fetal IGF production may be influenced by placental lactogen, especially IGFII which rapidly declines in the circulation following parturition in the rat and sheep. A positive association also exists between circulating levels of insulin and IGFs when the former is experimentally manipulated in the animal fetus. Similarly the infant born with transient diabetes mellitus has low cord blood levels of insulin and IGFI. Insulin has a dual role in prenatal life. In the last trimester insulin functions as a glucoregulatory hormone, but from much earlier in gestation creates an anabolic environment in the fetus supplied with optimal nutrients. This latter mechanism of action is unclear and probably heterogeneous, but in overview is permissive rather than obligatory. In contrast the growth-promoting role of the IGFs is direct but their interaction with fetal tissues, and thus the overall emphasis of fetal growth, may be paracrine.

Ultrasonic Measurement of Fetal Body Size: A Randomized Controlled Trial

A total of 745 Caucacian women were allocated at random between two groups, A and B, at the first antenatal visit. At the completion of the study, 341 patients in group A underwent a single ultrasonic measurement of fetal chest area between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation. The medical staff was not informed of these results. Three hundred and sixty-four patients in group B acted as controls. The percentage of clinically detected small-for-dates (S.F.D.'s) was low in both groups, A (36 per cent) and B (42 per cent). The ultrasonic detection rate of the clinically missed S.F.D.'s (group A) was 77 per cent. The clinical detection rate of large-for-dates (L.F.D.'s) was only 12 per cent in group A and 13 per cent in group B. The ultrasonic detection rate of the clinically unrecognized L.F.D.'s (group A) wa 60 per cent.

Hypothalamic Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone and Maternal Plasma TRH-Peptidase Activity in Protein-Deficient and Food-Restricted Pregnant Rats and Their Fetuses

This study examined the effects of protein deficiency and food restriction on hypothalamic TRH in pregnant rats and their fetuses. The absolute and relative amounts of TRH in hypothalami were not significantly changed by diet in either dams or fetuses. Plasma TRH-peptidase activity in the dam was significantly reduced by protein deprivation, whereas food restriction caused a lesser reduction. Fetal hypothalamic TRH was less affected by maternal malnutrition than was fetal body size.