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Decreased developmental stability as assessed by fluctuating asymmetry of morphometric traits in preterm infants
G Livshits1, L Davidi, E Kobyliansky
1Department of Anatomy, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Beilinson Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
Insights
Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is higher in preterm infants, especially those born extremely early. Maternal FA and infant health status are linked to developmental asymmetry.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Human Genetics
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) reflects developmental instability.
- FA may indicate environmental or genetic stressors during growth.
- Understanding FA in infants can reveal insights into early development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in preterm and term infants.
- To explore the relationship between FA, gestational age, and parental FA.
- To identify factors correlating with FA in early human development.
Main Methods:
- Measured FA for 8 morphometric traits in 113 preterm and 103 term infants and their parents.
- Utilized 3 distinct FA measurement methods.
- Performed multiple regression analysis on infant FA values.
Main Results:
- Highest FA values were observed in extremely preterm infants (26-29 wk gestation).
- Term infants exhibited the lowest FA values.
- Maternal FA showed a similar trend to infant FA, and infant/maternal health status correlated inversely with infant FA.
Conclusions:
- Gestational age is a significant factor influencing FA in infants.
- Maternal FA and infant/maternal health status are associated with developmental instability in newborns.
- FA may serve as a biomarker for early developmental challenges.
Abstract:
Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of 8 morphometric traits was studied in 113 preterm infants (26-36 wk of gestation), 103 term infants (37-41 wk), and their respective parents. With 3 different measures of FA, the highest values were obtained from extremely preterm infants (26-29 wk), and the lowest from the group of term infants. The estimates of FA values among parents, particularly mothers, showed a similar, albeit less pronounced, trend. Multiple regression analysis of individual mean FA values, calculated in infants for the 8 studied bilateral traits, documented a significant inverse correlation with gestational age and with the health status of the infants and their mothers, as well as a positive correlation with the mothers' mean FA values.