MC4R and ENPP1 gene polymorphisms and their implication in maternal and neonatal risk for obesity

The aims of this study were to establish the role of MC4Rrs17782313 and ENPP1rs1044498 gene polymorphisms on pre-pregnancy BMI and the newborn's status. We performed a cross-sectional study on 185 mothers and their offspring. The groups were divided into: control group- underweight or normal mothers with BMI_initial < 25 kg/m² (n₁ = 134) and study group-overweight/obese mothers with BMI_initial ≥ 25 kg/m² (n₂ = 51). All subjects underwent demographic, anthropometric, paraclinical, bioimpedance and genetic parameters. We found association between initial BMI and gestational weight gain (GWG), and a higher frequency of excessive GWG in overweight/obese women (p = 0.037). Higher values of anthropometric and bioimpedance parameters were observed in overweight/obese versus underweight/normal women. The MC4R rs17782313 and ENPP1 rs1044498 variant genotypes had an increased risk of pre-pregnancy overweight (OR = 1.41; 95% CI:[0.72; 2.78]; OR = 1.34; 95% CI:[0.65; 2.75]). The newborns from mothers with excessive GWG had a higher birth weight (BW) (p = 0.001). Higher MUAC values were noticed in newborns with MC4R rs17782313 wild-type genotype. Also, BW was correlated with GWG status smoking in pregnancy, gestational age and neonatal ENPP1rs1044498 variant genotype (p = 0.026). Our study pointed out the role of MC4R rs17782313 and ENPP1 rs1044498 genotypes in obesity determinisms in mothers and their newborns in correlation with BMI, MUAC, TST and bioimpedance parameters.