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Is bigger better? Macrosomia and psychopathology later in life

R J Van Lieshout1, M H Boyle

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences and the Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. vanlierj@mcmaster.ca

Obesity Reviews : an Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity
|October 28, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Large birth weight (macrosomia) may be linked to later mental health issues. However, current evidence is limited by study quality, requiring further research to confirm this association.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental psychology
  • Psychiatry
  • Perinatal medicine

Background:

  • A potential curvilinear relationship between birth weight and psychopathology is suggested.
  • Increasing prevalence of macrosomia and its risk factors (maternal obesity, diabetes) warrants investigation.
  • Existing research on macrosomia and mental illness shows mixed but suggestive findings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically review the association between macrosomia and mental illness.
  • To evaluate the current evidence linking birth weight to later psychopathology.
  • To identify limitations in existing studies and suggest future research directions.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of studies examining macrosomia and psychiatric disorders in adults and youth.
  • Analysis of evidence from nine adult studies and six youth studies.
  • Assessment of methodological variability and confounders in existing literature.

Main Results:

  • Seven of the studies reviewed provided evidence suggestive of a link between macrosomia and psychiatric disorders.
  • Significant methodological limitations, including inability to adjust for confounders, were noted.
  • The current evidence remains inconclusive regarding increased risk for psychopathology in macrosomic individuals.

Conclusions:

  • The association between macrosomia and later psychopathology requires further rigorous investigation.
  • Future research should focus on broader psychiatric outcomes, validated measures, confounder adjustment, and genetically sensitive designs.
  • Clarifying the link between macrosomia, its precursors, and psychological functioning is crucial.

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