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Does metabolomic profile differ with regard to birth weight?
Harpa Vidarsdottir1,2, Thordur Thorkelsson1,3, Thorhallur Ingi Halldorsson4
1Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Insights
Extremely high or low birth weight significantly alters newborn metabolic profiles. These findings impact the interpretation of newborn screening results for infants at birth weight extremes.
Area of Science:
- Metabolomics
- Neonatal Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Macrosomia and childhood obesity are increasing global health concerns.
- Birth weight is a critical factor in neonatal development and health outcomes.
- Newborn screening programs are essential for early detection of metabolic disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of extremely high or low birth weight on metabolic markers.
- To compare the metabolomic profiles of neonates with low birth weight and extreme macrosomia to those with appropriate birth weight.
- To understand how birth weight extremes influence the interpretation of newborn screening results.
Main Methods:
- Register-based study including full-term singletons born in Iceland (2009-2012).
- Newborn screening samples analyzed 72-96 hours post-birth.
- Comparison of three groups: low birth weight (<2500g), appropriate-for-gestational age, and extreme macrosomia (≥5000g), adjusted for confounders.
Main Results:
- Both low birth weight and extreme macrosomia were linked to elevated glutamic acid levels compared to appropriate birth weight infants.
- Specific amino acids (alanine, threonine) and acylcarnitines showed distinct patterns in low birth weight neonates.
- Hydroxybutyrylcarnitine and acetylcarnitine levels differed significantly in both low birth weight and extremely macrosomic neonates.
Conclusions:
- Neonates with low birth weight and extreme macrosomia exhibit unique metabolomic profiles.
- These metabolic differences are independent of gestational age.
- The study provides crucial insights into interpreting newborn screening results for infants at birth weight extremes.
Background:
Macrosomia and child obesity are growing health-care issues worldwide. The purpose of the study was to evaluate how extremely high or low birth weight affects metabolic markers evaluated in newborn screening.
Methods:
The study was register-based and included full-term singletons born in Iceland from 2009 to 2012 with newborn screening samples taken 72-96 h after birth. Three groups based on birth weight were compared: low birth weight (<2500 g), appropriate-for-gestational age, and extreme macrosomia (≥5000 g). The comparison was adjusted for possible confounding factors.
Results:
Compared to appropriate-for-gestational age neonates, both low birth weight and extreme macrosomia were associated with higher levels of glutamic acid. The amino acids alanine and threonine were increased in low birth weight neonates. Free carnitine and some medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines were higher in low birth weight infants. Hydroxybutyrylcarnitine was lower in low birth weight infants, but higher in extremely macrosomic neonates. Acetylcarnitine was higher in low birth weight and extremely macrosomic neonates. Succinylcarnitine was lower and hexadecenoylcarnitine higher in macrosomic newborns.
Conclusion:
Low birth weight and extremely macrosomic neonates show distinctive differences in their metabolomic profile compared to appropriate-for-gestational age newborns. The differences are not explained by gestational age.
Impact:
The key message of this article is that both low birth weight and extremely macrosomic newborns show dissimilar metabolomic profiles compared to appropriate-for-gestational age neonates. The article contributes to knowledge on what affects evaluation of results in newborn screening. The impact of this article is to provide information on metabolism at both ends of the birth weight range after accounting for confounding factors including gestational age.
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