Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2025
Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development
Published on: May 17, 2024
microRNAs in newborns with low birth weight: relation to birth size and body composition
Cristina Garcia-Beltran1,2, Gemma Carreras-Badosa3, Judit Bassols4
1Endocrinology Department, Pediatric Research Institute Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, 08950, Esplugues, Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Low birth weight (LBW) in newborns is linked to future metabolic issues. A specific microRNA, miR-191-3p, is found at lower levels in LBW infants and may play a role in these long-term health risks.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Epigenetics
- Neonatal Health
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) infants face increased risks for endocrine-metabolic disorders later in life.
- MicroRNA (miRNA) deregulation is implicated in the developmental programming of these adult pathologies.
- Investigating miRNA expression patterns in LBW newborns and their mothers can reveal links to fetal growth and metabolic health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze miRNA expression profiles in umbilical cord serum from LBW and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) newborns and maternal serum.
- To identify specific miRNAs associated with fetal growth, body composition, and metabolic risk markers.
- To explore the potential role of identified miRNAs in the epigenetic mechanisms linking LBW to adverse health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- RNA-sequencing was used to assess miRNA profiles in serum from mother-newborn pairs (LBW and AGA).
- Differentially expressed miRNAs were validated using RT-qPCR in a larger cohort of maternal and umbilical cord samples.
- Longitudinal assessment of anthropometric, endocrine-metabolic, and body composition markers in infants over 12 months.
Main Results:
- LBW newborns exhibited significantly reduced circulating concentrations of miR-191-3p.
- miR-191-3p levels effectively differentiated LBW from AGA individuals (ROC AUC = 0.76).
- miR-191-3p concentrations showed positive associations with neonatal anthropometric measures, body composition, and weight Z-score at 12 months.
Conclusions:
- miR-191-3p is demonstrably different in LBW individuals, indicating its potential as a biomarker.
- This microRNA may represent a novel epigenetic factor connecting low birth weight to future endocrine-metabolic complications.
- Further research into miR-191-3p's role could inform strategies for mitigating long-term health risks in LBW infants.
Background:
Children with low birth weight (LBW) have a higher risk of developing endocrine-metabolic disorders later in life. Deregulation of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) could underscore the programming of adult pathologies. We analyzed the miRNA expression pattern in both umbilical cord serum samples from LBW and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) newborns and maternal serum samples in the 3rd trimester of gestation, and delineated the relationships with fetal growth, body composition, and markers of metabolic risk.
Methods:
Serum samples of 12 selected mother-newborn pairs, including 6 LBW and 6 AGA newborns, were used for assessing miRNA profile by RNA-sequencing. The miRNAs with differential expression were validated in a larger cohort [49 maternal samples and 49 umbilical cord samples (24 LBW, 25 AGA)] by RT-qPCR. Anthropometric, endocrine-metabolic markers and body composition (by DXA) in infants were determined longitudinally over 12 months.
Results:
LBW newborns presented reduced circulating concentrations of miR-191-3p (P = 0.015). miR-191-3p levels reliably differentiated LBW from AGA individuals (ROC AUC = 0.76) and were positively associated with anthropometric and body composition measures at birth and weight Z-score at 12 months (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
miR-191-3p was reliably different in LBW individuals, and could be a new player in the epigenetic mechanisms linking LBW and future endocrine-metabolic adverse outcomes.
Impact:
Children with low birth weight (LBW) have a higher risk of developing endocrine-metabolic disorders. Deregulation of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) could underscore the programming of those pathologies. miR-191-3p is downregulated in serum of LBW newborns, and its concentrations associate positively with neonatal anthropometric measures, with lean mass and bone accretion at age 15 days and with weight Z-score at age 12 months. miR-191-3p was reliably different in individuals with LBW, and could be a new player in the epigenetic mechanisms connecting LBW and future endocrine-metabolic adverse outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
01:30Neurulation