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Early Growth and Cognitive Development in Children Born Preterm: Relevance of Maternal Body Mass Index

Daniel T Robinson1, Jami Josefson1, Lauren C Balmert2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

American Journal of Perinatology
|February 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) is linked to infant growth velocity during hospitalization and may affect cognitive development in preterm infants. Higher maternal BMI correlated with faster initial weight gain but lower cognitive scores later on.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal research
  • Pediatric development
  • Maternal health

Background:

  • Maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) is a key indicator of metabolic health during pregnancy.
  • Its impact on the postnatal growth and development of preterm infants remains unclear.
  • This study investigates the association between maternal prepregnancy BMI and outcomes in preterm children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if maternal prepregnancy BMI is associated with altered growth trajectories in preterm infants.
  • To assess the relationship between maternal BMI and neurodevelopmental outcomes in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 38 preterm infants (born before 32 weeks).
  • Maternal prepregnancy BMI was used as the exposure variable.
  • Outcomes included anthropometric measures and Bayley-III developmental scores using regression models.

Main Results:

  • Higher maternal prepregnancy BMI was linked to increased infant growth velocity during hospitalization.
  • No association was found between maternal BMI and postdischarge growth (length, head circumference).
  • Higher maternal BMI correlated with lower cognitive scores at 18 months corrected age, even after adjustments.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal prepregnancy BMI may influence early growth patterns in preterm infants.
  • Increased maternal BMI could be a risk factor for impaired cognitive development in children born preterm.
Abstract

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