Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development
05:44

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development

Published on: May 17, 2024

890

Fetal Growth Trajectories and Their Association with Maternal, Cord Blood, and 5-year Child Adipokines

H C Bartels1, A A Geraghty1, E C O'Brien1

  • 1UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism
|October 8, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Male fetuses show faster growth trajectories. Maternal leptin and adiponectin levels at 28 weeks gestation predict fetal growth, but no later markers were associated. This highlights early biochemical indicators of fetal development.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Human fetal development

Background:

  • Fetal growth is a complex process influenced by various factors.
  • Biochemical markers like leptin and adiponectin play a crucial role in fetal development.
  • Understanding these markers can provide insights into healthy fetal growth trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between fetal growth trajectories and biochemical markers in maternal, cord, and child blood samples.
  • To compare growth trajectories with markers at 28 weeks gestation, birth, and 5 years of age.
  • To identify early indicators of fetal growth patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized ultrasound and birth weight data from 781 mother-infant pairs to define fetal growth trajectories.
  • Measured serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, insulin, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 at maternal, cord, and 5-year child stages.
  • Employed ANOVA and chi-square tests to analyze associations between growth trajectories and biochemical markers, considering child sex.

Main Results:

  • Male infants exhibited a significantly faster estimated weight trajectory compared to females.
  • Elevated maternal leptin and reduced adiponectin at 28 weeks gestation were linked to slower estimated abdominal circumference trajectories.
  • No significant associations were found between fetal growth trajectories and inflammatory markers or any growth markers at 5 years of age.

Conclusions:

  • Male sex is associated with accelerated fetal weight gain.
  • Maternal leptin and adiponectin levels during late gestation are predictive of fetal growth trajectories.
  • Postnatal growth markers do not appear to correlate with early fetal growth patterns identified in this study.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings14:40

Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings

Published on: October 25, 2015

9.7K
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

27.6K

Related Concept Videos

Fetal Circulation01:14

Fetal Circulation

Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
2.1K
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
21.8K
Signs of Puberty01:27

Signs of Puberty

Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...
1.0K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
160
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
2.8K