Maternal adipose tissue expansion, a missing link in the prediction of birth weight centile

Jarvie, E., Stewart, F., Ramsay, J. E., Brown, E. A., Meyer, B., Olivecrona, G., Griffin, B. and Freeman, D. (2020) Maternal adipose tissue expansion, a missing link in the prediction of birth weight centile. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 105(3), e814-e825. (doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgz248) (PMID:31832635)

Abstract

Context: Maternal body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased birth weight but does not explain all the variance in fetal adiposity. Objective: To assess the contribution of maternal body fat distribution to offspring birth weight and adiposity. Design: Longitudinal study throughout gestation and at delivery. Setting: Women recruited at 12 weeks of gestation and followed up at 26 and 36 weeks. Cord blood was collected at delivery. Patients: Pregnant women (n=45) with BMI 18.0-46.3 kg/m2 and healthy pregnancy outcome. Methods: Maternal first trimester abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue thickness (SAT and VAT) was assessed by ultrasound. Results: VAT was the only anthropometric measure independently associated with birth weight centile (r2 adjusted 15.8%, P=0.002). BMI was associated with trimester 2 and trimester 1 – 3 area under the curve (AUC) glucose and insulin resistance (HOMA). SAT alone predicted trimester 2 lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mass (a marker of adipocyte insulin sensitivity) (11.3%, P=0.017). VAT was associated with fetal triglyceride (9.3%, P=0.047). Placental weight was the only independent predictor of fetal adiposity (48%, P<0.001). Maternal trimester 2 and AUC LPL were inversely associated with fetal adiposity (r=-0.69, P=0.001 and r=-0.58, P=0.006 respectively). Conclusions: Maternal VAT provides additional information to BMI for prediction of birth weight. VAT may be a marker of reduced SAT expansion and increased availability of maternal fatty acids for placental transport.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Freeman, Dr Dilys and Meyer, Ms Barbara and Ramsay, Dr Jane and Jarvie, Dr Eleanor
• Authors: Jarvie, E., Stewart, F., Ramsay, J. E., Brown, E. A., Meyer, B., Olivecrona, G., Griffin, B., and Freeman, D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0021-972X
• ISSN (Online): 1945-7197
• Published Online: 13 December 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © Endocrine Society 2019
• First Published: First published in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 105(3):e814-e825
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy