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Fetal size in mid- and late pregnancy is related to infant alertness: the generation R study
Jens Henrichs1, Jacqueline J Schenk, Henk G Schmidt
1Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Fetal size in mid- and late pregnancy is linked to infant alertness, not irritability. These intrauterine growth alterations affecting infant alertness are detectable from mid-pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Prenatal development
- Infant behavior
Background:
- Behavioral problems can originate during fetal development.
- Previous research links intrauterine growth indicators (e.g., birth weight) to behavioral outcomes.
- The relationship between fetal size and infant temperament requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between fetal size in mid- and late pregnancy and infant irritability and alertness.
- To determine if fetal growth alterations impact infant behavioral development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a population-based birth cohort of 4,255 singleton, full-term infants.
- Performed ultrasound measurements of fetal head and abdominal circumference in mid- and late pregnancy.
- Assessed infant irritability and alertness at 3 months using the Mother and Baby Scales (z-standardized).
Main Results:
- Revealed curvilinear (inverted J-shape) associations between fetal size measures (mid- and late pregnancy) and infant alertness.
- No significant associations were found between fetal size characteristics and infant irritability.
- Alterations in intrauterine growth impacting infant alertness were detectable from mid-pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- Fetal size in both mid- and late pregnancy is associated with infant alertness.
- Infant irritability was not linked to fetal size.
- These findings suggest that deviations in fetal growth affecting infant alertness can be identified early in pregnancy.
Abstract:
The vulnerability for behavioral problems is partly shaped in fetal life. Numerous studies have related indicators of intrauterine growth, for example, birth weight and body size, to behavioral development. We investigated whether fetal size in mid- and late pregnancy is related to infant irritability and alertness. In a population-based birth cohort of 4,255 singleton full-term infants ultrasound measurements of fetal head and abdominal circumference in mid- and late pregnancy were performed. Infant irritability and alertness scores were obtained by the Mother and Baby Scales at 3 months and z-standardized. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed curvilinear associations (inverted J-shape) of measures of fetal size in both mid- and late pregnancy with infant alertness. Fetal size characteristics were not associated with infant irritability. These results suggest that alterations of intrauterine growth affecting infant alertness are already detectable from mid-pregnancy onwards.
