Maternal Factors Associated with Fetal Growth and Birthweight Are Independent Determinants of Placental Weight and Exhibit Differential Effects by Fetal Sex

Abstract

IntroductionMaternal nutritional and metabolic factors influence the developmental environment of the fetus. Virtually any nutritional factor in the maternal blood has to pass the placental membranes to reach the fetal blood. Placental weight is a commonly used measure to summarize placental growth and function. Placental weight is an independent determinant of fetal growth and birthweight and modifies the associations between maternal metabolic factors and fetal growth. We hypothesized that maternal factors known to be related to fetal growth, newborn size and body composition are determinants of placental weight and that effects of maternal metabolic factors on placental weight differ between the genders.MethodsThe STORK study is a prospective longitudinal study including 1031 healthy pregnant women of Scandinavian heritage with singleton pregnancies. Maternal determinants (parity, body mass index, gestational weight gain and fasting plasma glucose) of placental weight were explored by linear regression models, stratified by fetal sex.ResultsParity, maternal BMI, gestational weight gain and fasting glucose had positive effects on placental weight. There was a sex specific effect in these associations. Fasting glucose was significantly associated with placental weight in females but not in males.ConclusionMaternal factors known to influence fetal growth, birthweight and neonatal body composition are determinants of placental weight. The effect of maternal factors on placental weight is influenced by sex as illustrated in the relation between maternal glucose and placental weight.

Maternal Demographic and Placental Risk Factors in Term Low Birth Weight in Ghana

“…It is well established that placental nutrient transport efficiency is a core maternal factor that associates with LBW. Furthermore, antenatal complications also associate with LBW [28,31]. It has been reported that the placenta may act as a nutrient sensor that adjust maternal nutrient supply to fetal growth [27,30].…”

“…This hypothesis is partially supported from the very strong association of placental weight with LBW in the present population. The placental weight is a proxy for the available surface area for materno-fetal nutrient exchange, and so the larger the weight the greater the nutrient exchange (and vice versa) [28,31].…”

“…Such changes affect the placental efficiency with regards to adequate development of the vasculature to meet the nutrient and oxygen supply to the fetus [25,26]. The placental weight serves as a marker of the available surface area for maternal-fetal nutrient exchange [27,28]. In our study, we examined firstly the incidence rate of LBW in general at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, retrospectively.…”

Biopsychosocial and Economic Determinants of Low Birth Weight in Jambi, South Sumatera: Path Analysis

“…Hasil penelitian Roland et al (2014), menemukan anak laki-laki lebih berat dan lebih panjang daripada anak wanita, dan memiliki rasio plasenta yang lebih tinggi daripada anak perempuan, menunjukan anak laki-laki memiliki plasenta yang lebih efisien daripada anak perempuan. Interpretasi yang ditarik dari hasil penelitian Roland et al (2014), menunjukan bahwa anak laki-laki yang lahir dengan rasio plasenta lebih tinggi daripada anak perempuan, kemungkinan memiliki asupan nutrisi yang adekuat dibandingkan dengan anak perempuan, sehingga nutrisi yang dibutuhkan terpenuhi.…”

“…Interpretasi yang ditarik dari hasil penelitian Roland et al (2014), menunjukan bahwa anak laki-laki yang lahir dengan rasio plasenta lebih tinggi daripada anak perempuan, kemungkinan memiliki asupan nutrisi yang adekuat dibandingkan dengan anak perempuan, sehingga nutrisi yang dibutuhkan terpenuhi. Saran yang diberikan kepada ibu hamil yang memiliki janin dengan jenis kelamin perempuan lebih mewaspadai agar tidak terjadi kelahiran bayi berat lahir rendah dengan cara mencukupi nutrisi selama masa kehamilan.…”