Maternal and infant factors associated with neonatal adiposity: Results from the Tasmanian Infant Health Survey (TIHS)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To examine the maternal and neonatal factors associated with offspring adiposity and the role of birth and placental weight as potential mediators in such associations. DESIGN: The Tasmanian Infant Health Survey was a prospective cohort study conducted between 1988 and 1995 in Australia to investigate the cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This large infant cohort provides measurement of skinfolds on 7945 mothers and their offspring. SUBJECTS: Participants included singletons born X37 weeks gestation who were at high risk of sudden infant death syndrome identified through a composite score that included birth weight, maternal age, neonatal gender, season of birth, duration of second-stage labor and intention to breastfeed. MEASUREMENTS: Neonatal adiposity was assessed from skinfold measurements of the subscapular (SSF) and triceps folds (TSF) taken at birth. Maternal early-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Neonatal data were extracted from birth records. Data relating to other environmental exposures were obtained from questionnaires administered when neonates were B4-days old. RESULTS: In multivariable models, higher maternal adiposity, increasing maternal age, gestation age, delivery by Caesarian section and female gender were associated with larger SSF independent of placental and birth weight (Po0.001). Maternal age and delivery by Caesarian section were significantly associated with larger TSF, whereas gestational age and male gender were associated with thinner TSF independent of placental and birth weight. Higher early-pregnancy BMI, maternal weight gain, maternal age, parity and gestational age were significantly associated with larger placental and birth weight. Smoking during pregnancy was associated with smaller birth weight but not with placental weight. CONCLUSION: In addition to birth weight, maternal adiposity and placental weight were important additional factors associated with neonatal adiposity.

Relationships of maternal and paternal anthropometry with neonatal body size, proportions and adiposity in an Australian cohort

“…However, BMI based on self-reported measurements may be sufficiently accurate for epidemiological studies (McAdams et al, 2007). Our analyses also did not include several other factors that have been previously shown to relate to neonatal anthropometry, including maternal pregnancy weight gain (Kramer, 1987; Catalano et al, 1995; Goldenberg et al, 1997; Frederick et al, 2008; Roland et al, 2012; Tikellis et al, 2012), maternal and paternal birthweight (Kramer, 1987; Little, 1987; Emanuel et al, 1992; Magnus et al, 2001), maternal micronutrient status (Kramer, 1987; Mathews et al, 1999; Leffelaar et al, 2010), placental weight (Kramer, 1987; Roland et al, 2012; Tikellis et al, 2012) and maternal glucose metabolism before or during pregnancy (Catalano et al, 2003; HAPO Study Cooperative Research Group, 2009; Catalano et al, 2012; Roland et al, 2012). …”

The effect of maternal prenatal smoking and alcohol consumption on the placenta-to-birth weight ratio

“…The association between maternal prenatal cigarette smoking and low birth weight has been well established in epidemiological studies [20–26]. However, there is limited evidence regarding the association between smoking and placental weight, although the available evidence supports the inference that there is a negative association [8–11, 27].…”

Biological Determinants Linking Infant Weight Gain and Child Obesity: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

“…Maternal BMI, adiposity, gestational weight gain, circulating triglyceride concentrations, and degree of inflammation during pregnancy are associated with increased birth weight and neonatal adiposity (11,31,(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40). Maternal diabetes is linked with higher offspring fat mass at birth (41), increased BMI, and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in childhood and beyond (42).…”