Offspring Birth Size Research Articles

Ethylene Oxide Hemoglobin Adducts in Cord Blood and Offspring's Size at Birth: The NewGeneris European Cohort Study.

Prenatal ethylene oxide exposure may have adverse effects on fetal development. We examined the relationships between ethylene oxide hemoglobin (Hb) adduct levels and offspring's size at birth in a prospective European mother-child study. This study included 1106 singletons from the NewGeneris project (2006-2010) with ethylene oxide Hb adducts measured in cord blood. We examined the relationships between adduct levels and offspring's size at birth among all infants and separately among infants of nonsmokers, using linear regression models for birth weight and birth head circumference and logarithmic binomial regression models for small for gestational age. We examined potential interactions between CYP2E1 single nucleotide polymorphisms in cord blood and the effects of ethylene oxide Hb adduct levels on offspring birth size. Higher quartiles of adduct levels as a measure of exposure were associated with decreasing birth weight and head circumference in the overall population. Compared to infants in the lowest quartile, those in the highest quartile exhibited lower birth weight (-70.73 g, 95% confidence interval = -141.16, -0.30) and reduced head circumference (-0.30 cm, 95% confidence interval = -0.58, -0.02). We observed similar, albeit less pronounced, patterns among infants of nonsmokers. There was no evidence of an association between ethylene oxide Hb adducts and risk of small for gestational age, nor consistent evidence of an interaction with CYP2E1 polymorphisms on the association between EO Hb adduct levels and offspring's size at birth. Results suggest that higher ethylene oxide Hb adduct levels in cord blood are associated with a reduction in offspring birth size.

Investigating the IGF axis as a pathway for intergenerational effects.

Early nutritional and growth experiences can impact development, metabolic function, and reproductive outcomes in adulthood, influencing health trajectories in the next generation. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis regulates growth, metabolism, and energetic investment, but whether it plays a role in the pathway linking maternal experience with offspring prenatal development is unclear. To test this, we investigated patterns of maternal developmental weight gain (a proxy of early nutrition), young adult energy stores, age, and parity as predictors of biomarkers of the pregnancy IGF axis (n = 36) using data from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey in Metro Cebu, Philippines. We analyzed maternal conditional weight measures at 2, 8, and 22 years of age and leptin at age 22 (a marker of body fat/energy stores) in relation to free IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in mid/late pregnancy (mean age = 27). Maternal IGF axis measures were also assessed as predictors of offspring fetal growth. Maternal age, parity, and age 22 leptin were associated with pregnancy free IGF-1, offspring birth weight, and offspring skinfold thickness. We find that free IGF-1 levels in pregnancy are more closely related to nutritional status in early adulthood than to preadult developmental nutrition and demonstrate significant effects of young adult leptin on offspring fetal fat mass deposition. We suggest that the previously documented finding that maternal developmental nutrition predicts offspring birth size likely operates through pathways other than the maternal IGF axis, which reflects more recent energy status.

Risk of spontaneous abortion after periconceptional medication use: Time to tackle the methodological challenges.

Risk of spontaneous abortion after periconceptional medication use: Time to tackle the methodological challenges.

Maternal plasma vitamin D levels across pregnancy are not associated with neonatal birthweight: findings from an Australian cohort study of low-risk pregnant women

BackgroundIn utero environments can be highly influential in contributing to the development of offspring obesity. Specifically, vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and child health outcomes, however its relationship with offspring obesity remains unclear. We assessed maternal vitamin D status across pregnancy, change in plasma vitamin D concentrations and associations with neonatal birthweight, macrosomia and large for gestational age.MethodsWomen (n = 221) aged 18–40 years with singleton (low-risk) pregnancies, attending antenatal clinics at a tertiary-level maternity hospital were recruited at 10–20 weeks gestation. Medical history, maternal weight and blood samples at three antenatal clinic visits were assessed; early (15 ± 3 weeks), mid (27 ± 2 weeks) and late (36 ± 1 weeks) gestation. Maternal 25(OH)D was analysed from stored plasma samples via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Neonatal growth parameters were collected at birth. Unadjusted and adjusted linear and logistic regression assessed associations of maternal vitamin D with birthweight, macrosomia and large for gestational age.ResultsMean plasma 25(OH)D increased from early (83.8 ± 22.6 nmol/L) to mid (96.5 ± 28.9 nmol/L) and late (100.8 ± 30.8 nmol/L) gestation. Overall 98% of women were taking vitamin D-containing supplements throughout their pregnancy. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) was 6.5%, 6.3% and 6.8% at early, mid and late pregnancy respectively. No statistically significant association was found between 25(OH)D or vitamin D deficiency at any timepoint with neonatal birthweight, macrosomia or large for gestational age.ConclusionsPrevalence of vitamin D deficiency was low in this cohort of pregnant women and likely related to the high proportion of women taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy. Maternal 25(OH)D did not impact offspring birth weight or birth size. Future studies in high-risk pregnant populations are needed to further assess maternal vitamin D status and factors in utero which promote early life obesity.

Association between phthalate metabolites in human amniotic fluid and offspring birth size: a sub-study of the PERSIAN birth cohort.

As phthalate metabolites might cross the placenta, it is possible to find them in the amniotic fluid. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the levels of phthalate metabolites in the amniotic fluid of a sample of Iranian women and its association with neonatal anthropometric measures. The other objective was to study the potential sources of maternal exposure to phthalates. This study was conducted from June 2019 to June 2021 in Isfahan, Iran. Pregnant women were recruited from their first trimester of pregnancy and followed up until their delivery. Amniotic fluid samples were collected from those who were assigned to have delivery by cesarean section. Overall, 158 samples of amniotic fluid were collected, of which 139 samples had sufficient volume and were free of blood. Data from 142 newborns were included in this study. Four phthalate metabolites were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). After extraction of phthalate metabolites, 4 phthalate metabolites including mono-butyl phthalate (MBP; normal: 0.08 ± 0.79; overweight: 0.20 ± 1.11; obese: 0.07 ± 1.07; p-value: 0.405), mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP; normal: 7.54 ± 6.69; overweight: 7.48 ± 7.16; obese: 8.67 ± 12.75; p-value: 0.729), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP; normal: 4.27 ± 6.36; overweight: 3.03 ± 8.44; obese: 3.53 ± 7.04; p-value: 0.245), and mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP; normal: 246.18 ± 189.80; overweight: 238.48 ± 200.23; obese: 287.65 ± 206.70; p-value: 0.723) were simultaneously detected in samples of maternal amniotic fluid. Our findings suggest that maternal exposure to phthalate metabolites is positively associated with in utero exposure of the developing fetus. The geometric means and medians of MBP, MBzP, MEOHP, and MEHHP of detected samples were 10.17 (9.52), 6.24 (3.47), 5.03 (11.72), and 174.79 (229.94) (μg/L), respectively. The median anthropometric measures of newborns were as follows: weight 3171.8g, height 49.6cm, head circumferences 34.9cm, chest 33.3cm, hip 31.5cm, and arm circumferences 10.8cm. There was no statistically significant association between phthalate metabolites concentration and newborn's anthropometric measures (p > 0.05). Future studies should focus on the collection of amniotic fluid at different trimesters and the corresponding maternal samples to better characterize the association and health impacts of these endocrine-disrupting chemicals during fetal development.

Association between parabens concentrations in human amniotic fluid and the offspring birth size: A Sub-study of the PERSIAN birth cohort

ObjectiveParabens are extensively used, and cause widespread exposure of the general population including pregnant women and developing fetuses to these pollutants. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the maternal exposure of parabens to study their transfer passed through the placental barrier to amniotic fluid; the second objective was to determine the association of paraben concentration in the amniotic fluid with the offspring birth size. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2019 to March 2021 in Isfahan, Iran. Samples of amniotic fluid were collected as set from 128 pregnant women at Cesarean section. The amniotic fluid concentrations of four parabens including methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP), propylparaben (PP), and butylparaben (BP) were determined using gas chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy (GC-Mass). ResultsThe pointed parabens were extracted from yielded clear supernatant using a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) method. Four paraben derivatives including MP (normal: 0.68 ± 0.7; overweight: 1.40 ± 1.76; obese: 0.30 ± 0.26; p-value: 0.275), EP (normal: 0.14 ± 0.09; overweight: 0.72 ± 0.72; obese: 0.38 ± 0.05; p-value: 0.434), PP (normal: 0.05 ± 0.05; overweight: 0.06 ± 0.06; obese: 0.20 ± 0.17; p-value: 0.770), and BP (normal: 2.89 ± 1.80; overweight: 3.89 ± 6.48; obese: 5.80 ± 7.56; p-value: 0.341) were simultaneously detected in samples of maternal amniotic fluid using GC–MS. In 92.2% (n = 118) of pregnant women, the paraben derivatives (MP, EP, PP, BP) were detected. We found that considerable levels of MP, EP, PP, and BP existed in 22.6% (n = 29), 21.9% (n = 28), 29.7% (n = 38), and 85.2% (n = 109) of samples, respectively. In addition, the correlation between paraben concentrations in amniotic fluid and birth size was investigated. The results showed that an inverse significant association between MP and head circumference, chest, hip, and arm circumference. While a positive correlation between MP and height of newborn was observed. Similar correlations were observed for EP and weight, height, head circumference, chest, hip, and arm. ConclusionThe current study indicated that parabens have been detected in amniotic fluid samples and a strong/possible correlation between exposure of pregnant women to parabens and the birth size of newborns.

Association of maternal polycystic ovary syndrome and diabetes with preterm birth and offspring birth size: a population-based cohort study.

Association of maternal polycystic ovary syndrome and diabetes with preterm birth and offspring birth size: a population-based cohort study.

Placental cadmium, placental genetic variations, and birth size

Background Maternal cadmium (Cd) burden has been associated with offspring birth size measures, yet associations of placental Cd with birth size are less clear. Further, the role of genetics in these associations has not been examined. We investigated associations of placental Cd with birth size and placental genotypes. We also examined the potential role of placental genotypes as modifiers of placental Cd and birth size associations. Methods Participants were 490 mother-child pairs from the Omega and Placenta Microarray studies based in Seattle, WA. Placental Cd was measured using Agilent 7500 ICP-MS. The birth size was characterized using birth weight (BW), ponderal index (PI), and head circumference (HC). Eleven placental single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to metal transport, growth regulation, endocrine response, and cell signaling were genotyped. Adjusted multivariable linear regression models were used to examine overall and sex-specific associations of placental Cd with birth size (BW, PI and HC), as well as associations of placental genotypes with placental Cd. Effect modification of placenta Cd and birth size associations by placental SNPs was examined using interaction terms and stratified analyses. Results Mean maternal age was 33.6 years (SD = 4.4). Mean and median placental Cd levels were 4.0 ng/g tissue (SD = 2.7 ng/g tissue) and 3.6 ng/g (IQR 2.5 − 5.2 ng/g), respectively. Overall, compared with infants in the lowest quartile for placental Cd, infants in the second (ß = −102.8 g, 95% CI: −220.7, 15.1), third (ß = –83.2 g, 95% CI: −199.3, 32.9) and fourth (ß = −109.2 g, 95% CI: −225.4, 7.1) quartiles had lower BW, though associations were not statistically significant (all p-values > .05, trend p-value = .11). Among male infants, infants in the second (ß = −203.3 g, 95% CI: −379.7, −27.0) and fourth quartiles (ß = −198.3 g, 95% CI: −364.2, −32.5) had lower BW compared with those in the first quartiles (p-values < .05, trend p-value = .08). Similar relationships were not observed among female infants, though infant sex-placental Cd interaction terms were not significant. Similarly, male, but not female, infants had marginally significant positive associations between placental Cd and ponderal index (trend p-value = .06). The minor rs3811647 allele of the placental transferrin gene (NCBI Gene ID: 7018) was associated with an increase in Cd among all infants (p-value = .04). We did not find differences in associations of placental Cd with birth size markers among infants stratified by rs3811647 genotype. Conclusions Placental Cd was inversely associated with BW among male infants. The rs3811647 SNP of the transferrin gene was associated with placental Cd.

Associations between Maternal Iron Supplementation in Pregnancy and Changes in Offspring Size at Birth Reflect Those of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation.

It was previously observed that in a population of a high-income country, dietary multiple micronutrient supplementation in pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes (GDM) and increased offspring size at birth. In this follow-up study, we investigated whether similar changes are observed with dietary iron supplementation. For this we used the prospective Cambridge Baby Growth Study with records of maternal GDM status, nutrient supplementation, and extensive offspring birth size measurements. Maternal iron supplementation in pregnancy was associated with GDM development (risk ratio 1.67 (1.01–2.77), p = 0.048, n = 677) as well as offspring size and adiposity (n = 844–868) at birth in terms of weight (β’ = 0.078 (0.024–0.133); p = 0.005), head circumference (β’ = 0.060 (0.012–0.107); p = 0.02), body mass index (β’ = 0.067 (0.014–0.119); p = 0.01), and various skinfold thicknesses (β’ = 0.067–0.094; p = 0.03–0.003). In a subset of participants for whom GDM statuses were available, all these associations were attenuated by adjusting for GDM. Iron supplementation also attenuated the associations between multiple micronutrient supplementation and these same measures. These results suggest that iron supplementation may mediate the effects associated with multiple micronutrient supplementation in pregnancy in a high-income country, possibly through the increased risk of developing GDM.

Nutrient Sensing by the Placenta: IGF-I/mTOR Responses to Preconception Maternal Nutrition Intervention and Implications to Offspring Birth Size and Lifelong Heath

Nutrient Sensing by the Placenta: IGF-I/mTOR Responses to Preconception Maternal Nutrition Intervention and Implications to Offspring Birth Size and Lifelong Heath

Associations of maternal dietary inflammatory potential and quality with offspring birth outcomes: An individual participant data pooled analysis of 7 European cohorts in the ALPHABET consortium.

BackgroundAdverse birth outcomes are major causes of morbidity and mortality during childhood and associate with a higher risk of noncommunicable diseases in adult life. Maternal periconception and antenatal nutrition, mostly focusing on single nutrients or foods, has been shown to influence infant birth outcomes. However, evidence on whole diet that considers complex nutrient and food interaction is rare and conflicting. We aim to elucidate the influence of whole-diet maternal dietary inflammatory potential and quality during periconceptional and antenatal periods on birth outcomes.Methods and findingsWe harmonized and pooled individual participant data (IPD) from up to 24,861 mother–child pairs in 7 European mother–offspring cohorts [cohort name, country (recruitment dates): ALSPAC, UK (1 April 1991 to 31 December 1992); EDEN, France (27 January 2003 to 6 March 2006); Generation R, the Netherlands (1 April 2002 to 31 January 2006); Lifeways, Ireland (2 October 2001 to 4 April 2003); REPRO_PL, Poland (18 September 2007 to 16 December 2011); ROLO, Ireland (1 January 2007 to 1 January 2011); SWS, United Kingdom (6 April 1998 to 17 December 2002)]. Maternal diets were assessed preconceptionally (n = 2 cohorts) and antenatally (n = 7 cohorts). Maternal dietary inflammatory potential and quality were ranked using the energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII) and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) index, respectively. Primary outcomes were birth weight and gestational age at birth. Adverse birth outcomes, i.e., low birth weight (LBW), macrosomia, small-for-gestational-age (SGA), large-for-gestational-age (LGA), preterm and postterm births were defined according to standard clinical cutoffs. Associations of maternal E-DII and DASH scores with infant birth outcomes were assessed using cohort-specific multivariable regression analyses (adjusted for confounders including maternal education, ethnicity, prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), maternal height, parity, cigarettes smoking, and alcohol consumption), with subsequent random-effects meta-analyses.Overall, the study mothers had a mean ± SD age of 29.5 ± 4.9 y at delivery and a mean BMI of 23.3 ± 4.2 kg/m2. Higher pregnancy DASH score (higher dietary quality) was associated with higher birth weight [β(95% CI) = 18.5(5.7, 31.3) g per 1-SD higher DASH score; P value = 0.005] and head circumference [0.03(0.01, 0.06) cm; P value = 0.004], longer birth length [0.05(0.01, 0.10) cm; P value = 0.010], and lower risk of delivering LBW [odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) = 0.89(0.82, 0.95); P value = 0.001] and SGA [0.87(0.82, 0.94); P value < 0.001] infants. Higher maternal prepregnancy E-DII score (more pro-inflammatory diet) was associated with lower birth weight [β(95% CI) = −18.7(−34.8, −2.6) g per 1-SD higher E-DII score; P value = 0.023] and shorter birth length [−0.07(−0.14, −0.01) cm; P value = 0.031], whereas higher pregnancy E-DII score was associated with a shorter birth length [−0.06(−0.10, −0.01) cm; P value = 0.026] and higher risk of SGA [OR(95% CI) = 1.18(1.11, 1.26); P value < 0.001]. In male, but not female, infants higher maternal prepregnancy E-DII was associated with lower birth weight and head circumference, shorter birth length, and higher risk of SGA (P-for-sex-interaction = 0.029, 0.059, 0.104, and 0.075, respectively). No consistent associations were observed for maternal E-DII and DASH scores with gestational age, preterm and postterm birth, or macrosomia and LGA. Limitations of this study were that self-reported dietary data might have increased nondifferential measurement error and that causality cannot be claimed definitely with observational design.ConclusionsIn this cohort study, we observed that maternal diet that is of low quality and high inflammatory potential is associated with lower offspring birth size and higher risk of offspring being born SGA in this multicenter meta-analysis using harmonized IPD. Improving overall maternal dietary pattern based on predefined criteria may optimize fetal growth and avert substantial healthcare burden associated with adverse birth outcomes.

Impact of Nutrition on the Next Generation: The INCAP Longitudinal Study.

The design of the original nutrition supplementation trial that was conducted from 1969 to 1977 in 4 villages in rural Guatemala to evaluate the benefits of improving nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood, combined with several follow-up studies, provides unique data to examine the effects of improving nutrition on the next generation. This article provides a summary of the key findings from the INCAP Longitudinal Study on the intergenerational effects of improving nutrition on the growth and well-being of the next generation. The key outcomes include offspring birth size as well as attained size and body composition through age 11 years. The sample sizes varied from approximately 200 to 800 depending on the timing of the follow-up studies and data collection protocols. The effects of parental birth size, maternal linear growth from birth through adulthood, and exposure to the nutrition intervention, that is, Atole versus Fresco during critical periods from prenatal through age 15 years, have been examined using complex models and approaches. Overall, these publications demonstrate clear improvements in the growth of the next generation. Effects were seen primarily for maternal exposure to Atole and were larger for boys compared to girls. Stunting during early childhood among girls was also a significant predictor of offspring birth size, and younger age at first pregnancy (<20 years) was associated with an increased risk of stunting in the offspring. These studies have contributed significantly to our understanding of the importance of investing in nutrition, especially during early childhood for future generations.

Dietary total antioxidant capacity during pregnancy and birth outcomes.

To investigate the effect of maternal dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and main food sources on the risk of preterm birth (PB) and offspring birth size. Cohort study that included 733 Brazilian mother-child pairs. Two 24h dietary recalls were obtained during pregnancy and the usual intake was estimated through the Multiple Source Method. Data of the offspring were extracted from the national live births information system. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship that energy-adjusted DTAC and food sources have with the outcomes. In total, 9.7% of the children were PBs, 6.0% were born with low birth weight (LBW), 6.7% with macrosomia, 9.3% were small for gestational age (SGA) and 16.4% large for gestational age (LGA). The mean energy-adjusted DTAC ± SD was 4.7 ± 2.1mmol. The adjusted OR (95%CI) of PB for each increasing tertile of maternal DTAC were 0.71 (0.41, 1.30) and 0.54 (0.29, 0.98), when compared with the lowest intake. For LBW, these were 0.25 (0.09, 0.65) and 0.63 (0.28, 1.41). A likelihood of lower odds for PB was found for a higher intake of fruits [0.66 (0.39, 1.09)]. Women with a higher consumption of milk were less likely to have a child with LBW [0.48 (0.23, 1.01)], and children whose mothers reported a higher intake of beans had lower odds of being born LGA [0.61 (0.39, 0.93)]. The data suggest that a higher intake of foods with antioxidant activity during pregnancy might reduce the chance of adverse birth outcomes.

Maternal total energy, macronutrient and vitamin intakes during pregnancy associated with the offspring's birth size in the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Maternal diet during pregnancy can influence fetal growth; however, the available evidence is controversial. We aimed to assess whether maternal diet of Japanese women in mid-pregnancy can affect their offspring's birth size via collection of questionnaire and medical record data. The studied sample was a large cohort of paired mothers and their singleton offspring (n 78 793) from fifteen areas all over Japan who participated in the Japan Environment and Children's Study. The mid-pregnancy intakes of total energy, macronutrients and vitamins were lower than the recommended intakes for pregnant Japanese women. Maternal total energy intake was positively associated with the offspring's birth weight; there was a 10-g mean difference in the offspring's birth weight of mothers in the lowest (3026 g) v. highest (3036 g) quartiles of energy intake. Carbohydrate intake was positively associated with the offspring's birth length (mean difference of 0·7 cm) and inversely associated with the ponderal index (mean difference of 0·8 g/cm3). Offspring of mothers in the highest v. lowest quartiles of total dietary fibre intake were on average 9 g heavier and had 0·3 cm longer birth length and 0·2 cm longer head circumference. The highest in reference to lowest intake quartile of vitamin C was associated with 13 g and 0·7 cm mean differences in the offspring's birth weight and length, respectively. Several other associations were evident for maternal intakes of vitamins and the offspring's birth size. In conclusion, maternal dietary intakes of energy, dietary fibre, carbohydrate and vitamins during pregnancy were associated with the offspring's birth size.

Could consanguineous marriage provide a cultural alleviation for the obstetric dilemma?

In placental mammals, a poor fit between the physical dimensions of the fetus and maternal pelvis increases the likelihood of obstructed labour. This problem is especially relevant to humans, as our species demonstrates both unique adaptations in pelvic shape and structure associated with bipedalism, and fetal encephalization. Natural selection is expected to have favoured adaptations that reduce the chances of such mismatch within individual mother-offspring dyads. Here, I hypothesise that the cultural practice of consanguineous marriage may have been favoured, on account of increasing the genetic similarity between mothers and offspring and hence the correlation between maternal and fetal physical dimensions. These benefits could be amplified if consanguineous marriage was accompanied by assortative mating for height. An additional benefit of consanguineous marriage for childbirth is the slight reduction in birth size of such offspring compared to non-consanguineous unions. Although the offspring of consanguineous unions have elevated risks of morbidity and mortality, these risks are moderate and the practice could still have been favoured by selection if the reduction in maternal mortality was greater than the increased mortality among individual offspring. This hypothesis could be tested directly by investigating whether rates of obstructed labour are lower in individuals and populations practising consanguineous marriage. At a broader level, phylogenetic analysis could be conducted to test whether consanguineous marriage appears to have originated in the areas where intensive agriculture was first practiced, as adult height typically fell in such populations, potentially exacerbating the risk of obstructed labour.

Maternal Dietary Patterns and Birth Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACTFindings on the relations of maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and risk of preterm birth and offspring birth size remain inconclusive. We aimed to systematically review and quantify these associations. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and CINAHL up to December 2017. Three authors independently conducted a literature search, study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. Summary effect sizes were calculated with random effects models and studies were summarized narratively if results could not be pooled. We included 36 studies and pooled results from 25 observational studies (167,507 participants). Two common dietary patterns—“healthy” and “unhealthy”—were identified. Healthy dietary patterns—characterized by high intakes of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein foods—were associated with lower risk of preterm birth (OR for top compared with bottom tertile: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.91; I2 = 32%) and a weak trend towards a lower risk of small-for-gestational-age (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.73, 1.01; I2 = 34%). Only statistically data-driven healthy dietary patterns, and not dietary index-based patterns, were associated with higher birth weight (mean difference: 67 g; 95% CI: 37, 96 g; I2 = 75%). Unhealthy dietary patterns—characterized by high intakes of refined grains, processed meat, and foods high in saturated fat or sugar—were associated with lower birth weight (mean difference: −40 g; 95% CI: −61, −20 g; I2 = 0%) and a trend towards a higher risk of preterm birth (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.39; I2 = 76%). Data from observational studies indicate that greater adherence to healthy dietary patterns during pregnancy is significantly related to lower risk of preterm birth. No consistent associations with birth weight and small- or large-for-gestational-age were observed.

Curcumin ameliorates gestational diabetes in mice partly through activating AMPK

Context: In vitro and in vivo research has shown that curcumin can alleviate diabetes and the relevant complications.Objective: To investigate the effect of curcumin on gestational diabetes (GD).Materials and methods: C57 BL/KsJdb/+(db/+) mice and C57 BL/KsJ+/+ mice (10–12 weeks old) were divided into four groups (n = 15): normal pregnancy (C57 BL/KsJ+/+), GD (C57 BL/KsJdb/+), GD plus low dose curcumin (50 mg/kg, orally gavage every day) and GD plus high dose curcumin (100 mg/kg, orally gavage every day). The tolerance of glucose and insulin were measured on gestation day 10. Body weight at birth and litter size of offspring were investigated, and the expression of oxidative stress factors [thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phospho-AMPK, histone deacetylases 4 (HDAC4), pHDAC4 and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) in the livers were analyzed by ELISA and Western blot on gestation day 20.Results: High dose curcumin could partly ameliorate the intolerance of glucose and insulin, and completely restore the litter size and the body weight of GD mice through decreased TBARS expression (p < 0.05) and increased GSH, SOD and CAT expression (p < 0.05). Enhanced AMPK activation, accompanied with decreased HDAC4 and G6Pase expression (p < 0.05) were partly contributed to the alleviation of GD mediated by curcumin.Conclusions: Although further detailed mechanism needs to be deciphered, curcumin can be considered as an alternative treatment for gestational diabetes.

Maternal Acrylamide Intake during Pregnancy and Sex Hormone Levels in Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood and Birth Size of Offspring

Exposure to acrylamide during pregnancy may disturb pregnancy hormones and the growth of the fetus. The present study aimed to examine the association of maternal acrylamide intake with maternal and cord sex hormone levels during pregnancy and at birth and birth size of offspring. The study subjects were 204 pregnant Japanese women and their newborn girls. Intake of acrylamide was assessed based on 5-day diet records at approximately the 29th week of pregnancy. The concentrations of estradiol, estriol, and testosterone were measured in maternal serum at the 29th weeks of pregnancy and at delivery and umbilical cord blood at delivery. Birth weight, length, and head circumference were measured at the delivery. After controlling for covariates, higher intake of acrylamide was significantly positively associated with higher level of umbilical cord estradiol at the delivery (p for trend = .01), but not with any hormone levels measured in maternal blood. A positive association between acrylamide intake and head circumference was of borderline significance (p for trend = .06). Overall, there were no consistent associations between maternal acrylamide intake and sex hormone levels during pregnancy. However, as this is the first study to examine these associations, additional studies are needed.

Associations between maternal physical activity in early and late pregnancy and offspring birth size: remote federated individual level meta-analysis from eight cohort studies.

ObjectiveEvidence on the impact of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in pregnancy on birth size is inconsistent. We aimed to examine the association between LTPA during early and late pregnancy and newborn anthropometric outcomes.DesignIndividual level meta‐analysis, which reduces heterogeneity across studies.SettingA consortium of eight population‐based studies (seven European and one US) comprising 72 694 participants.MethodsGeneralised linear models with consistent inclusion of confounders (gestational age, sex, parity, maternal age, education, ethnicity, BMI, smoking, and alcohol intake) were used to test associations between self‐reported LTPA at either early (8–18 weeks gestation) or late pregnancy (30+ weeks) and the outcomes. Results were pooled using random effects meta‐analyses.Main outcome measuresBirth weight, large‐for‐gestational age (LGA), macrosomia, small‐for‐gestational age (SGA), % body fat, and ponderal index at birth.ResultsLate, but not early, gestation maternal moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), vigorous activity, and LTPA energy expenditure were modestly inversely associated with BW, LGA, macrosomia, and ponderal index, without heterogeneity (all: I 2 = 0%). For each extra hour/week of MVPA, RR for LGA and macrosomia were 0.97 (95% CI: 0.96, 0.98) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.94, 0.98), respectively. Associations were only modestly reduced after additional adjustments for maternal BMI and gestational diabetes. No measure of LTPA was associated with risk for SGA.ConclusionsPhysical activity in late, but not early, pregnancy is consistently associated with modestly lower risk of LGA and macrosomia, but not SGA.Tweetable abstractIn an individual participant meta‐analysis, late pregnancy moderate to vigorous physical activity modestly reduced birth size outcomes.

Mogroside IIIE attenuates gestational diabetes mellitus through activating of AMPK signaling pathway in mice

As one kind of complications of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can influence the health of maternal-child in clinical practice. The C57 BL/KsJdb/+(db/+) mice, genetic GDM model, and C57 BL/KsJ+/+ (wild-type) mice were purchased and classified into three groups: normal pregnancy (C57 BL/KsJ+/+), GDM (C57 BL/KsJdb/+), and GDM plus Mogroside IIIE (20.0 mg/kg) group. GDM symptoms (maternal body weight, serum glucose, and insulin levels), glucose and insulin tolerance, and reproductive outcome (body weight at birth and litter size of offspring) were investigated. The inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the serum and the pancreas were detected by ELISA and qRT-PCR, while the expression of pAMPK, AMPK, pHDAC4, HDAC4, and G6Pase in the livers were analyzed by Western Blot. Mogroside IIIE greatly improved glucose metabolism, insulin tolerance, and reproductive outcome of the GDM mice. Moreover, Mogroside IIIE treatment significantly decreased inflammatory factors expression and relieved GDM symptoms through enhanced AMPK activation, inhibited HDAC4 expression, and reduced production of G6Pase. The alleviation of GDM by Mogroside IIIE was mediated by elevated AMPK activation, which in turn inhibited HDAC4 phosphorylation, and eventually down-regulated G6Pase expression and activity.