Maternal Weight Research Articles

Effects of Mediterranean diet during pregnancy on the onset of overweight or obesity in the offspring: a randomized trial.

The PREMEDI study was designed to assess the efficacy of nutritional counseling aimed at promoting Mediterranean Diet (MD) during pregnancy on the incidence of overweight or obesity at 24 months in the offspring. PREMEDI was a parallel-arm randomized-controlled trial. 104 women in their first trimester of pregnancy were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to standard obstetrical and gynecological care alone (CT) or with nutritional counseling promoting MD. Women enrolled in the MD arm were provided with 3 sessions of nutritional counseling (one session per trimester). The main outcome was the proportion of overweight or obesity among the offspring at the age of 24 months. Maternal MD-adherence and weight gain during pregnancy were also evaluated. Lastly, the evaluation of epigenetic modulation of metabolic pathways in the offspring was analyzed in cord blood. Five women in the MD arm and 2 in the CT arm were lost to follow-up, so a total of 97 completed the study. At 24 months, children of MD mothers were less likely to have overweight or obesity than those of the CT mothers (6% vs. 33%, absolute risk difference = -27%, 95% CI -41% to -12%, p < 0.001; number needed to treat 3, 95% CI 2 to 8, intention to treat analysis). A significantly higher increase of MD-adherence during the trial was observed in the MD arm compared to the CT arm. A similar body weight gain at the end of pregnancy was observed in the two arms. The mean (SD) methylation rate of the leptin gene in cord blood was 30.4 (1.02) % and 16.9 (2.99) % in the CT and MD mothers, respectively (p < 0.0001). MD during pregnancy could be an effective strategy for preventing pediatric overweight or obesity at 24 months. This effect involves, at least in part, an epigenetic modification of leptin expression.

Prevalence, characteristics and risk factors of birth defects in central China livebirths, 2015-2022.

This study analyzed the prevalence, epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of birth defects among livebirths in central China, aiming to provide evidences for the prevention of birth defects and government Decision-makings. Birth data from China's Hubei Province between 2015 and 2022 were collected, including basic information of the livebirths, the mothers and the fathers, as well as information about delivery and each prenatal examination. The livebirths prevalence of birth defects was calculated and the trends were mapped. The basic characteristics of birth defects were evaluated by the difference analysis between case and health groups. Univariate and multivariate Poisson regression was performed to examine the independent risk factors for birth defects. Among 43,568 livebirths, 166 livebirths were born with birth defects, resulted in a total prevalence rate of 3.81 per 1,000 livebirths, showing a remarkable uptrend from 0.41per 1,000 livebirths in 2015 to 9.23 per 1,000 livebirths in 2022. The peak of the prevalence was in January and February. Congenital malformation of the musculoskeletal system was the main type of birth defect in central China livebirths, followed by cleft lip and cleft palate. Overall, newborns with birth defect had significantly earlier delivery gestational age, poorer health and higher proportion of infants with low birth weight than healthy births. The gender of livebirths, excess weight at delivery (≥80 kg) of mothers, more than 2 times of gravidity or parity of mothers, and advanced paternal age (≥40 years) were independent risk factors for birth defects (or specific birth defects). The livebirths prevalence of birth defects shows increasing trend in central China, which deserves the attention of the government and would-be parents. Elevated paternal age, excess maternal weight, gravidity and parity should be considered when planning their families.

Study on the mechanism of Shenling Baizhu powder on the pathogenesis of pregnancy complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver, based on PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway.

This study investigates the effectiveness of Shenlin Baizhu powder in managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) during pregnancy and its mechanism through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Eight healthy male and 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. After acclimatization, 6 female rats were fed normal chow, and 18 female rats were fed high-fat chow to induce NAFLD. After 8 weeks, female rats were mated with males to create a pregnant NAFLD model. The rats were divided into four groups: normal feeding, high-fat diet with saline, high-fat diet with 1.6 g/kg Shenlin Baizhu powder, and high-fat diet with 4.8 g/kg Shenlin Baizhu powder. Maternal body weight, serum and liver levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), related inflammatory indexes interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. Liver tissue was examined using hematoxylin and oil red O staining, and protein expression related to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was assessed via Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Results showed significant weight gain and increases in ALT, AST, TG, TC, LDL-C, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, along with decreased HDL-C in NAFLD rats compared to controls. The high and low-dose Shenlin Baizhu powder groups exhibited improvements in body weight, liver histopathology, and reductions in serum TG, TC, LDL-C, ALT, AST, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, with increased HDL-C levels. Notably, the high-dose group showed greater efficacy in reducing hepatic fat accumulation, liver function markers, blood lipids, and inflammatory indexes, and decreased expression of hepatic PPARγ mRNA, SREBP1 mRNA, AKT mRNA, and related proteins. Shenlin Baizhu powder demonstrates potential in ameliorating high-fat diet-induced NAFLD in pregnant rats, likely through modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, suggesting its therapeutic potential for gestational NAFLD.

Exploring free pregnancy associated plasma protein a (fPAPP-A) as a biomarker in early pregnancy

ObjectivesIn combined first trimester screening for Down syndrome, Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein A (PAPP-A) is pivotal. PAPP-A tests evaluate total PAPP-A, consisting of the biologically active free PAPP-A (fPAPP-A) and PAPP-A complexed with eosinophil major basic protein's proform (proMBP). While PAPP-A is well-researched, limited understanding persists regarding fPAPP-A's first trimester concentrations and diagnostic utility. Designand methods: PAPP-A and fPAPP-A levels were gauged in 602 serum samples at 2-week intervals (gestational weeks 4–14) from 159 women with delivery of a healthy neonate and 80 samples from 37 miscarriages. The final sample at the time of diagnosis from women who miscarried was included in analyses. ResultsDuring the first trimester, PAPP-A and fPAPP-A levels displayed significant and strong correlation (r = 0.94), with median values doubling weekly. Free PAPP-A constituted only 3.0 % of PAPP-A over gestational weeks. Low fPAPP-A linked to miscarriage (p < 0.001), maternal weight (p < 0.001), and smoking (p = 0.02). For miscarriage prediction fPAPP-A was equal to PAPP-A (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve 0.79 vs. 0.81, p = 0.44). ConclusionsInvestigating fPAPP-A presence and concentration directly in first trimester serum has not been done previously. This study report lower fPAPP-A values than anticipated from prior enzymatic studies of fPAPP-A. fPAPP-A was not superior to PAPP-A as a first trimester biomarker in this dataset.

PSLBI-10 Effects of mid-gestational nutrient restriction on maternal and neonatal body weights in goats

Abstract Gestational nutrient restriction increases the risk for metabolic dysfunction in maternal and fetal health and predisposes the offspring to metabolic disease later in life. This study examined the impact of the mid-gestational nutrient restriction on dams and neonatal body weight (BW) in caprine pregnancy. Pregnant Boer goats with similar BW and age were assigned randomly and fed either a control diet (CON: 100% NRC recommendations) or an NR diet (60% of CON) from 45 to 100 d of gestation and re-alimented to control diet until term (n = 15/group). Animals were weighed every 2 wk throughout gestation, and at birth, newborn BW of kids was recorded (newborn males and females were selected based on survival and birth type). Data were analyzed by mixed procedures of SAS, presented as means ± SE, and differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. During the nutrient restriction period, CON dams gained more (P &amp;lt; 0.001) BW than NR group (15.04 vs. 2.33 ± 2.9 % BW gain, respectively). There was a tendency (P = 0.07) for the group by sex effect on offspring neonatal BW. Male offspring from NR group tended to have lighter BW (3.79 ± 0.22 vs. 4.35 ± 0.22 kg, respectively) than controls. However, female offspring did not differ significantly (3.38 ± 0.21 vs. 3.16 ± 0.18 kg, respectively) from controls. These data show that changes in the mother’s body weight due to nutrient restriction at mid-gestation may have a sex-specific impact on goat neonatal weights.

PSVII-13 Influence of early maternal gestational body weight gain on liver gene expression across generations in offspring

Abstract Maternal nutrition in the periconceptional period influences gene regulation in the fetal liver across generations, affecting long-term metabolism. This study aimed to examine the effects of the rate of body weight (BW) gain of the dam (F0) during early gestation on the differential gene expression of the liver of first (F1) and second-generation (F2) offspring. Crossbred Angus heifers (F0) were assigned into two groups based on their targeted rate of BW gain during the first 84 d of gestation: low gain (LG; 0.28 kg/d; n = 8) or moderate gain (MG; 0.79 kg/d; n = 8). Following this period, all heifers (F0) were kept on a forage-based diet until the F1 offspring were weaned at 8 mo. The F1 heifers underwent estrus synchronization and were artificially inseminated at 15 mo of age. Liver samples were obtained from the F1 heifers at birth and later when harvested at 84 d of gestation, along with liver samples from their F2 fetuses, for a comprehensive multigenerational RNA-Seq analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the DESeq2 R-package, focusing on significant genes determined by a P-value ≤ 0.05 and a log2 fold change |0.5|. Metabolic pathways and biological processes were analyzed using the WebGestalt tool to understand the implications of the observed gene expression changes. At birth, F1 heifers from MG dams exhibited 281 DEGs, comprising 152 downregulated and 129 upregulated genes compared with the offspring of LG dams. These genes were over-represented in lipid metabolism, cellular homeostasis, and signaling pathways, such as MAPK and chemokine signaling. At harvest, 159 DEGs were identified in F1 heifers, with 67 genes downregulated and 92 genes upregulated in the MG group. These genes were related to cellular morphogenesis and biogenesis processes, with a notable downregulation of metabolic pathways. For the F2 fetuses, 192 DEGs were identified, where 71 genes were downregulated, and 121 genes were upregulated. These genes were involved in biological functions such as peptide secretion to cell proliferation and signaling pathways, including PI3K-Akt and Hippo signaling. The analysis of DEGs shared between F1 heifers and F2 fetuses highlighted the influence of the moderate BW weight gain of the F0 dams. At birth and harvest, F1 heifers shared three genes (NAV2, FAM131C, SH3D21). F1 heifers at birth and F2 fetuses shared five genes (CD3E, H1-12, SLC7A11, PIP4P2, ENSBTAG00000051730). From the harvest at d 84 in F1 heifers and F2 fetuses, five genes were shared (DCDC2, RIN1, ENSBTAG00000008911, ENSBTAG00000040518, ENSBTAG00000048049). No DEGs were shared across all comparisons. These findings emphasize the multigenerational impact of early gestational BW gain of the dam on liver gene expression, influencing metabolic pathways and signaling across generations.

Investigating the associations between early labour onset symptoms and self-diagnosed labour onset in a cohort study of primiparas

ObjectiveThe early recognition of possible labour onset symptoms may be pivotal to identifying the beginning of early labour and are usually recognised by the birthing women themselves. The present study illustrates the interrelationship among five labour-onset symptoms and explores the association of these labour-onset symptoms with the self-diagnosed labour onset of primiparas. MethodsA prospective cohort study on a sample of 69 primigravida in Giessen, Germany, expecting spontaneous onset of labour at term. The participants filled in a diary from ≥37 + 0 weeks gestation until self-diagnosed labour onset. Descriptive, bivariate and inferential analysis explored association of labour onset symptoms with self-diagnosed labour onset while accounting for maternal and newborn characteristics. ResultsSelf-diagnosed labour onset was positively associated with all symptoms and clinical characteristics, apart from irregular pain and maternal weight and age. Moreover, regular pain was negatively correlated with irregular pain; having regular pain increased the odds of self-diagnosed labour onset substantially (OR: 10.18, 95 % CI: 2.39–66.27), followed by gastrointestinal symptoms (OR: 2.07, 95 % CI: 0.40–13.10) and emotional symptoms (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 0.30–13.98). ConclusionBeing the initiator of intrapartum care without any birth experience, primiparas are prone to experiencing dissatisfaction in care and may enter professional care too late or too early. The present study showed that regular pain may signify primiparas to self-diagnose labour onset within 24 h and indicate early labour symptoms that may be relevant for a self-diagnosed labour onset.

Mobil Monitoring Doppler Ultrasound (MoMDUS) study: protocol for a prospective, observational study investigating the use of artificial intelligence and low-cost Doppler ultrasound for the automated quantification of hypertension, pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction in rural Guatemala

IntroductionUndetected high-risk conditions in pregnancy are a leading cause of perinatal mortality in low-income and middle-income countries. A key contributor to adverse perinatal outcomes in these settings is limited access...

The Long-Term Associations of Perinatal Obesogenic Environment with Offspring Biological Aging.

Biological age (BA), reflecting aging-related health decline beyond chronological age, varies among individuals. While previous research explored associations of maternal pregnancy-related body size with offspring health outcomes, its implications for BA in young adults remain unclear. Utilizing longitudinal data of 1,148 mother-offspring pairs from the Jerusalem Perinatal Study, we analyzed associations of maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain (GWG) with offspring Klemera-Doubal method (KDM)-based BA at age 32, and potential familial life-course underlying mechanisms. Maternal pregnancy-related body size, adjusted for sociodemographic/lifestyle factors was associated with offspring BA (βmaternal pre-pregnancy BMI=0.183,95%CI:0.098,0.267;βGWG=0.093,95%CI:0.021,0.165). Association of GWG with BA was largely direct (90%,95%CI,44%,100%), while association with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was partially mediated through adolescent BMI (36%,95%CI=18%,75%), with both associations eliminated after adjustment for offspring adult BMI. Associations persisted after adjusting for offspring polygenic risk score for BMI (βmaternal pre-pregnancy BMI=0.128;95%CI=0.023,0.234; βGWG=0.102;95%CI=0.006,0.198), and somewhat altered after adjustment for maternal cardiometabolic conditions (βmaternal pre-pregnancy BMI=0.144,95%CI=0.059, 0.230). Impact on GWG associations was negligible. Thus, perinatal obesogenic environment contributes to offspring BA beyond sociodemographic factors and maternal cardiometabolic history, yet intergenerational transmission of obesity seems to underlie these associations. Nonetheless, the period between adolescence and young adulthood could be targeted for weight-reducing interventions, ultimately promoting healthy aging.

Perinatal outcomes with a copper intrauterine device in situ after 28 gestational weeks: A retrospective study of sole center in southeast China.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the pregnancy outcomes with a copper intrauterine device (IUD) in situ after 28 gestational weeks and the association between pregnancy with copper IUDs and neonatal congenital malformations. This retrospective study had compared the singleton pregnancies with the copper IUDs in situ and without after 28 gestational weeks in 1 delivery center of southeast China. The main exposure was a copper IUD in uterine cavity with pregnancy. The pregnant outcomes as preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, infections were observed and compared. We had also compared neonatal congenital malformations in 2 groups. The statistical analysis was carried out using R (version 4.0.4; R Development Core Team) statistical software. Association between IUD use or duration of IUD use and adverse pregnancy outcomes were estimated using logistic model. Two-tailed P value < .05 was deemed statistically significant. A total of 148 pregnant women were included in our study, 74 with copper IUDs in situ were categorized into case group and 74 without IUDs during pregnancy into control group. No significant difference of maternal age, BMI, birth weight and gender were observed between 2 groups. In case group, the rates of preterm premature rupture of membranes (37.8%) and spontaneous preterm birth (23.0%) were significantly high compared to control group. Odds ratios of premature rupture of membranes and spontaneous preterm birth were 2.86 and 5.22 respectively. Women of elder age (≥35 years) in case group were more likely to experience premature rupture of membranes. The rates of neonatal congenital malformation were 10.8% (8/74) in case group and 1.4% (1/74) in control group respectively. We had found that pregnancy with copper IUD in situ increased the risk of premature rupture of membranes and spontaneous preterm birth after 28 gestation weeks, the risk of spontaneous preterm birth increased 5.22 times. Pregnancy with IUD in situ may be at increased risk of infection and neonatal malformation.

Investigation of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B in Yinchuan, China: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

Hepatitis B poses a significant global public health challenge, with mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) being the primary method of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission. The prevalence of HBV infection in China is the highest in Asia, and it carries the greatest burden globally. This study aims to critically evaluate the existing local strategies for preventing MTCT and the proposed potential enhancements by analyzing the prevalence of hepatitis B among pregnant women and their neonates in Yinchuan. From January 2017 to December 2021, 37,557 prenatal screening records were collected. Among them, 947 pregnant women who tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) near delivery and their 960 neonates were included in an HBV-exposed group, while 29 pregnant women who tested negative and their 30 neonates were included in an HBV-nonexposed group. HBV markers in maternal peripheral blood and neonatal cord blood were analyzed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, logistic regression, chi-square test, t-test, and U-test. Additionally, to further evaluate the diagnostic value of HBsAg positivity in cord blood, we conducted an additional follow-up study on 103 infants who tested positive for HBsAg in their cord blood. The prevalence of HBV among pregnant women was 2.5% (947/37,557), with a declining trend every year (χ²4=19.7; P=.001). From 2018 to 2020, only 33.0% (35/106) of eligible pregnant women received antiviral medication treatment. Using LASSO regression to screen risk factors correlated with HBsAg positivity in cord blood (when log [λ] reached a minimum value of -5.02), 5 variables with nonzero coefficients were selected, including maternal hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) status, maternal hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) status, maternal HBV DNA load, delivery method, and neonatal birth weight. Through univariate and multivariate logistic regression, delivery by cesarean section (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.52, 95% CI 0.31-0.87), maternal HBeAg positivity (aOR 2.05, 95% CI 1.27-3.33), low maternal viral load (aOR 2.69, 95% CI 1.33-5.46), and high maternal viral load (aOR 2.69, 95% CI 1.32-5.51) were found to be strongly associated with cord blood HBsAg positivity. In the additional follow-up study, 61 infants successfully completed the follow-up, and only 2 were found to be infected with HBV. The mothers of both these infants had detectable HBV DNA levels and should have received standard antiviral therapy. The results of the hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) positivity rate and titer test indicated a gradual decline in the immunity of vaccinated infants as the interval after vaccination increased. The clinical relevance of HBV marker detection in cord blood is restricted within the current prevention measures for MTCT. There is an emphasis on the significance of public education regarding hepatitis B and the reinforcement of postnatal follow-up for the prevention of MTCT.

ANALYSIS OF STUNTING INCIDENTS IN TODDLER CHILDREN

Children who experience malnutrition, repeated infections, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation can result in impaired growth and development or stunting. There are still findings of cases of stunting in children under five, followed by the presence of malnourished children under five, where in 2023 there will be 243 stunting. There are many factors that cause stunting in the Puskesmas work area which causes problems in children, both health and growth and development. This research aims to determine the factors which is related to the incidence of stunting in children under five at the Megang Sakti Community Health Center, Musi Rawas Regency in 2024. The design of this research is quantitative research with a cross-sectional approach. The population in this study is the target group of children under five in 2023, totaling 32,561 respondents. The sample in this study consisted of 100 respondents. The sampling method uses purposive sampling technique, using the Slovin formula. Inclusion criteria are willingness to become a respondent by filling out a consent form. This research was carried out on March 10 - April 30 2024 at the Megang Hospital Health Center. Collecting primary data by interviews using questionnaires. Bivariate data analysis used the Chi-Square test and multivariate logistic regression. The results of the study showed that there was a relationship between maternal age (p value 0.02) and birth weight (p value 0.002) with the incidence of stunting in children under five at the Megang Sakti Community Health Center, Musi Rawas Regency. in 2024. The conclusion is that there is a relationship between age and birth weight with the incidence of stunting in children under five at the Megang Sakti Community Health Center, Musi Rawas Regency in 2024. The community health center should carry out continuous screening of children under five who are at risk of stunting and provide education on efforts to prevent stunting children, such as risk factors for stunting.

Maternal prepregnancy weight as an independent risk factor for congenital heart defect: systematic review and meta-analysis stratified by subtype and severity of defect.

To assess the association between increased maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and the risk of congenital heart defect (CHD) in offspring. This systematic review and meta-analysis searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus from inception to 20 April 2023. Risk estimates were abstracted or calculated for increased BMI categories (overweight, obesity, moderate obesity and severe obesity) compared with normal weight (reference). Fixed-effects or random-effects models were used to combine individual study risk estimates based on the degree of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to weight pooled estimates for relevant moderators, particularly diabetes before and during pregnancy. Subgroup analyses for specific CHD subtypes were conducted if there were at least two studies with available data. Findings were presented for groups of defects, categorized using severity and topographic-functional criteria, and for individual defects. The certainty of the evidence for each effect estimate was evaluated according to Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines. Overall, 31 studies comprising 4 861 693 patients and 86 136 CHD cases were included. The risk of CHD increased progressively from moderate to severe obesity (pooled odds ratio (OR), 1.15 (95% CI, 1.11-1.20) and 1.39 (95% CI, 1.27-1.53), respectively). Sensitivity analysis indicated that this effect persisted independently of maternal diabetes status before or during pregnancy. In the subgroup analysis, obesity was associated with up to a 1.5-fold increase in the risk of severe CHD (pooled OR, 1.48 (95% CI, 1.03-2.13)). Severe obesity was associated with an even higher risk, with 1.8-times higher odds compared with the reference group for specific CHD subtypes, including tetralogy of Fallot (pooled OR, 1.72 (95% CI, 1.38-2.16)), pulmonary valve stenosis (pooled OR, 1.79 (95% CI, 1.39-2.30)) and atrial septal defect (pooled OR, 1.71 (95% CI, 1.48-1.97)). Maternal weight is a crucial modifiable risk factor for CHD, particularly for severe forms of defect. Further research is needed to investigate whether weight management before pregnancy might serve as a preventive measure against CHD. In pregnant women with obesity, fetal echocardiography should be a routine diagnostic procedure. © 2024 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Early-pregnancy BMI, maternal gestational weight gain, and asthma and allergic diseases in children.

Association of early pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and maternal gestational weight gain (GWG), and asthma and allergic disease in children is unclear. We analyzed data from 3176 mother-child pairs in a prospective birth cohort study. Maternal anthropometric measurements in the first and last antenatal clinic visits were obtained through post-delivery questionnaires to calculate early pregnancy BMI and maternal GWG. Asthma and allergic diseases in children by the age of 5 years was assessed using a validated questionnaire. Furthermore, serum samples were analyzed for IgE antibodies to eight allergens. We applied Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression analyses to estimate the association of early pregnancy BMI and maternal GWG (as continuous variables and categorized into quarters), and asthma, atopic eczema, atopic sensitization, and allergic rhinitis in children. Neither early pregnancy BMI nor maternal GWG was associated with asthma and allergic disease in children when analyzed as continuous variables. However, compared to the first quarter of GWG (a rate <0.32 kg/week), mothers in the third quarter (rate 0.42-0.52 kg/week) had children with significantly higher odds of developing atopic eczema (adjusted OR 1.49, 95% CI [1.13-1.96]) by 5 years of age. Association of early pregnancy BMI and maternal GWG, and asthma and allergic disease in children, is inconsistent. High maternal GWG may be associated with increased odds of atopic eczema.

The Concentration of Liver-Expressed Antimicrobial Peptide 2 in Human Milk and Infant Plasma Is Positively Associated with Adiposity and Body Weight in the First Year of Life

BackgroundThe liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is a recently recognized anorectic and glucose-regulating hormone with an unknown role in lactation. ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were as follows: 1) to assess LEAP2 presence in human milk and putative associations with infant body weight and adiposity in the first year of life, 2) to evaluate the impact of maternal weight status on LEAP2 concentration, and 3) to explore the relationship between infant plasma LEAP2 concentration and body weight and adiposity. MethodsThis prospective cohort observational study assessed LEAP2 concentration in plasma and milk from lactating women with normal weight (n = 26) or overweight or obesity (OW/OB, n = 26) at 6 mo postpartum and in 6-mo-old infant plasma, examining associations with metabolic and anthropometric variables at 6 mo and 1 y. Maternal plasma and milk leptin and insulin concentrations were also measured. LEAP2 expression in milk fat globules and single-cell-RNA-sequencing datasets was evaluated. ResultsLEAP2 was detected in all milk samples assessed (2.08 ± 0.65 ng/mL) and was positively associated with infant triceps (P = 0.022, Cohen f2 = 1.25) and subscapular (P = 0.008, f2 = 0.68) skinfolds at 1 y old. Maternal LEAP2 was positively associated with insulin (P = 0.005, f2 = 0.30) and prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.040, f2 = 0.17) and negatively associated with gestational weight gain (P = 0.008, f2 = 0.25) and postpartum weight retention (P = 0.036, f2 = 0.15). Maternal LEAP2 was higher in plasma (P = 0.039), but not milk of lactating women with OW/OB. Infant plasma LEAP2 (1.98 ± 0.28 ng/mL) was positively associated with weight (P = 0.004, f2 = 0.63), BMI (P = 0.049, f2 = 0.37), and weight-for-length (P = 0.024, f2 = 0.35) z-scores at 1 y old, predominantly in males. No evidence for LEAP2 mRNA expression was found in mammary cells. ConclusionsMilk LEAP2 is a bioactive component that plays a role in infant fat accretion in the first year of life. Although maternal LEAP2 responds to weight change in pregnancy and lactation, infant plasma LEAP2 might be involved in body weight regulation in early life.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05798676.

24 - Exploring the impact of maternal weight loss on metabolic function in offspring adipose tissue

24 - Exploring the impact of maternal weight loss on metabolic function in offspring adipose tissue

Abstract MP25: Buprenorphine pharmacotherapy reduces somatic signs of withdrawal in neonates but may not prevent cardiovascular risk in adult offspring with prenatal fentanyl exposure

Long-term effects on the cardiovascular system of offspring exposed to fentanyl in utero are one of the understudied aspects of the opioid crisis. Previously, we have shown that offspring exposed to opioids in utero display exacerbated somatic signs of withdrawal compared to vehicle-exposed offspring. We also showed that prenatal opioid exposure induce long lasting effects increasing blood pressure (BP) in the adult offspring. Buprenorphine (BUP) is one of the most effective FDA-approved standard-of-care therapies used to treat mothers with opioid use disorder and their newborns with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Yet, long-term effects of BUP in the pediatric population is limited. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of BUP in reducing somatic signs of withdrawal in rat neonates and the long-term effects on BP control. Female Sprague-Dawley rat breeders were implanted with a chronic jugular vein catheter and subjected to 2-hr self-administration (SA) sessions of vehicle (VEH, 0.9% NaCl, n=3) or fentanyl (FEN, 2.5 μg/kg/infusion/lever press, n=3). After rats developed dependence, they were paired during proestrus with males for breeding. SA sessions continued until delivery. There were no changes in maternal weight gain and pup weights at birth. At postnatal day 1, a subset of FEN-SA pups was treated with BUP for 5 consecutive days (1 mg/kg, sc). Video recording was performed daily to quantify somatic signs of withdrawal, including body curls, head movements, and spasms. FEN-SA increased withdrawal at postnatal days 1-3. This effect was attenuated in FEN-SA offspring treated with BUP (p&lt;0.05).14-week-old male offspring were implanted with radiotelemetry (n=4 per group). Compared to VEH-SA, FEN-SA offspring showed: 1) increased BP in response to phenylephrine (PE, 40 µg/kg ip), 2) tachycardic response to 1-hour restraint stress followed by impaired BP recovery (p&lt;0.05, respectively), 3) similar acute responses to AngII (30 µg/kg, sc), 4) exacerbated BP and delayed heart rate recovery in response to acute FEN (20 µg/kg, sc, p&lt;0.05), although plasma clearance was similar between groups. BUP treatment in FEN-SA offspring did not influence acute changes in BP or heart rate to different hypertensive stimuli. Taken together our data suggests that an opioid-based therapy effectively reduced somatic signs of withdrawal; however, it does not seem effective in attenuating the acute and chronic BP responses in prenatal fentanyl-exposed offspring.

Hubungan ASI eksklusif dengan kejadian stunting pada balita 6-24 bulan pada tiga kecamatan kasus tertinggi stunting di Kabupaten Jeneponto, Sulawesi Selatan

Background: Stunting is a major issue with toddlers' eating habits, which are frequently linked to malnutrition during these crucial early years of development. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines stunting as a developmental failure characterized by a body length deficit about age, specifically a z-score of less than -2. A persistent problem with public health in some communities is the high rate of stunting. A few elements add to hindering, with selective breastfeeding being a basic determinant. Hindering, or weakened direct development, is a typical wholesome issue among babies that influences long-haul well-being, mental turn of events, and future efficiency. This study looks to evaluate whether selective breastfeeding is a gamble factor for hindering kids between the ages of 6 and two years in the Jeneponto region. Methods: An observational research design with a case-control approach was used. Children aged 6 to 24 months who were recorded in the posyandu (community health post) toddler register across three sub-districts—West Bangkala, Bontoramba, and Rumbia—were chosen for their high stunting rates. Findings: The review uncovered that 39.67% of kids were solely breastfed, while 60.33% were not. Bivariate examination demonstrated a remarkable connection between restrictive breastfeeding and hindering in this age bunch (p = 0.03; OR = 1.74), recommending that non-only breastfed youngsters had a 1.74 times higher gamble of hindering contrasted with the people who were solely breastfed. In any case, multivariate examination, which represented factors, for example, kid age, birth weight, mother's level, and breastfeeding status, uncovered that the connection between restrictive breastfeeding and hindering was as of now not huge (p = 0.49; OR = 1.23). This suggests that when these extra factors are thought of, the gamble of hindering non-solely breastfed youngsters was just 1.23 times higher than in only breastfed kids, a distinction not measurably huge. Conclusion: Although the initial data indicate that not exclusively breastfeeding increases the risk of stunting by 74%, this risk is reduced when other factors like maternal height, child age, birth weight, and overall breastfeeding status are taken into consideration. This demonstrates the complexity of stunting and the need for comprehensive interventions that address breastfeeding practices as well as broader factors affecting the health of mothers and children.

Maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and birth weight: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundExisting data on maternal dietary patterns and birth weight remains limited and inconsistent, especially in non-Western populations. We aimed to examine the relationship between maternal dietary patterns and birth weight among a cohort of Chinese.MethodsIn this study, 4,184 mother-child pairs were included from the Iodine Status in Pregnancy and Offspring Health Cohort. Maternal diet during pregnancy was evaluated using a self-administered food frequency questionnaire with 69 food items. Principal component analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. Information on birth weight and gestational age was obtained through medical records. Adverse outcomes of birth weight were defined according to standard clinical cutoffs, including low birth weight, macrosomia, small for gestational age, and large for gestational age.ResultsThree maternal dietary patterns were identified: plant-based, animal-based, and processed food and beverage dietary patterns, which explained 23.7% variance in the diet. In the multivariate-adjusted model, women with higher adherence to the plant-based dietary patten had a significantly higher risk of macrosomia (middle tertile vs. low tertile: odds ratio (OR) 1.45, 95% CI 1.00-2.10; high tertile vs. low tertile: OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.03–2.34; P-trend = 0.039). For individual food groups, potato intake showed positive association with macrosomia (high tertile vs. low tertile: OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.20–2.47; P-trend = 0.002). Excluding potatoes from the plant-based dietary pattern attenuated its association with macrosomia risk. No significant associations was observed for the animal-based or processed food and beverage dietary pattern with birth weight outcomes.ConclusionsAdherence to a plant-based diet high in carbohydrate intake was associated with higher macrosomia risk among Chinese women. Future studies are required to replicate these findings and explore the potential mechanisms involved.

Association of maternal blood and umbilical cord blood plasma fatty acid levels with the body size at birth of Japanese infants

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), mainly obtained from fish, have been implicated in fetal development. Because few studies have examined maternal and umbilical cord blood fatty acid levels and infant body size in Japan with a fish-eating culture, we examined differences in plasma fatty acid levels in pregnant women and infant size at birth. This study is a large birth cohort study of 1476 pairs of Japanese pregnant women and their infants. Maternal blood DHA levels and infant birth weight showed a positive relationship. However, analysis adjusted for gestational age did not reveal correlations. Negative relationships were found between cord blood DHA levels and infant body size, and between the difference in mother-to-child DHA levels and infant body size. Thus, the smaller the birth size, the higher the differences in umbilical cord blood DHA levels and mother-to-child DHA levels when considering gestational age.