Inflammatory profiles in the non-pregnant state predict offspring birth weight at Cebu: Evidence for inter-generational effects of low grade inflammation

Abstract

Background Although maternal infection and inflammation during pregnancy can adversely affect offspring birth weight (BW), whether low grade inflammation in the non-pregnant state predicts BW is unknown. Aim Evaluate relationships between offspring BW and pro- and anti-inflammatory factors measured in parous but non-pregnant women. Subjects and methods Data come from 234 parous Filipino females (21.5 ± 0.3 yr) in the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey, a population-based birth cohort in Metropolitan Cebu, Philippines. Pro-inflammatory [Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), C-reactive protein (CRP)] and anti-inflammatory [Interleukin-10 (IL-10)] factors were measured in fasting plasma when the women were not pregnant, and related to recalled offspring BW. Results BW in female offspring was lower only among women with high IL-1β. Although pro-inflammatory cytokines did not predict BW in male offspring, women with higher anti-inflammatory IL-10 gave birth to larger males. Women with a combination of low inflammatory (IL-6) and high anti-inflammatory (IL-10) factors (interaction p<0.104) gave birth to the largest males. Conclusion Immune factors measured outside of pregnancy predict offspring BW in these young women. Stable variation in inflammatory phenotype could impact the gestational environment of offspring, thus pointing to potential intergenerational effects of chronic low-grade inflammation.

C‐reactive protein by pregnancy and lactational status among Filipino young adult women

“…We recently reported that inflammatory markers measured outside of pregnancy have modest relationships with birth outcomes in this sample (Kuzawa et al, 2012), suggesting that differences in basal inflammatory regulation could impact offspring birth outcomes and potentially have long-term impacts on health. Although the present analyses were cross-sectional and thus incapable of addressing impacts on offspring, in the future we hope to longitudinally investigate these questions at Cebu.…”

A perfect storm: fetal inflammation and the developing immune system

“…Numerous factors aside from microbial exposure have been shown to induce systemic maternal inflammation and/or chorioamnionitis, including nutritional and psychosocial factors (reviewed in ( 140 )). Of great concern are the observations linking perinatal inflammation from various causes with immune dysfunction and abnormal stress responses, not only in the immediate postnatal period but possibly throughout life or even into the next generation ( 145 ). Thus, the importance of advancing knowledge of perinatal inflammation and its causes cannot be overstated.…”

Contextualising complementary feeding in a broader framework for stunting prevention

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