Importance of metabolomics analyses of maternal parameters and their influence on fetal growth

Metabolomics is the scientific study of chemical processes involving metabolites. Specifically, metabolomics is the systematic study of the unique chemical fingerprints that specifically conveys cell processes. Fetal growth aberrations, including fetal growth restriction and macrosomia, convey the highest risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity, as well as increasing the chance of developing chronic disease in later life. We searched the electronic database PubMed for preclinical as well as clinical controlled studies pertaining to metabolomics analyses of maternal parameters and their influence on fetal growth. It was observed clearly that metabolic profiling/metabolomics approaches in maternal urine samples provide information on early-life exposure and are potentially linked to child health outcomes, in addition to identifying new biomarkers of exposure. This review article is aimed to discuss intra- and inter-individual variations in maternal urine profiles during pregnancy, fetal growth outcomes and environmental sources of metabolic variations. The review concludes that metabolic profiling of mother is a useful tool for the evaluation of influences on the growth of the fetus.