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Fetal growth from mid- to late pregnancy is associated with infant development: the Generation R Study

Jens Henrichs1, Jacqueline J Schenk, Charlotte S Barendregt

  • 1Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|October 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Faster fetal growth from mid- to late pregnancy is linked to better infant development, independent of postnatal growth. This suggests fetal growth significantly impacts developmental outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal Medicine
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Obstetrics

Background:

  • Fetal growth is a critical determinant of infant health and development.
  • Understanding the relationship between prenatal and postnatal growth is essential for identifying developmental risks.
  • Previous research has explored factors influencing fetal growth, but its independent impact on long-term development requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between fetal growth trajectories during pregnancy and infant developmental outcomes at 12 months.
  • To determine if this association persists independently of postnatal growth parameters.
  • To investigate the role of fetal growth in predicting risks for delayed social development and self-help abilities.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort study involving 4384 infants.
  • Ultrasound measurements for estimated fetal weight (using head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length) were taken in early, mid-, and late pregnancy.
  • Infant development was assessed using the Minnesota Infant Development Inventory at 12 months, with postnatal head size and body weight data collected at 7 months.

Main Results:

  • Faster fetal weight gain between mid- and late pregnancy was associated with a reduced risk of delayed social development (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71-0.95) and self-help abilities (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73-0.98).
  • Faster fetal growth also predicted a lower risk of overall delayed infant development (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.49-0.87), independent of postnatal growth.
  • Similar associations were found for fetal head growth from mid- to late pregnancy.

Conclusions:

  • Accelerated fetal growth, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy, is a significant predictor of positive infant developmental outcomes.
  • These findings highlight the critical role of fetal growth in establishing developmental trajectories, independent of postnatal influences.
  • Reduced fetal growth in mid- to late pregnancy may be a key factor contributing to subsequent developmental delays.
Abstract

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