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Association between maternal shift work during pregnancy child overweight and metabolic outcomes in early childhood

Che-Wei Liao1,2, Chih-Fu Wei3, Mei-Huei Chen4,5

  • 1Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan.

Frontiers in Public Health
|October 17, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Maternal shift work during pregnancy is linked to increased childhood overweight and insulin resistance. This study highlights potential long-term metabolic health risks for children born to mothers with non-traditional work schedules.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Pediatric Metabolic Health
  • Occupational Epidemiology

Background:

  • Maternal shift work during pregnancy has been linked to adverse reproductive outcomes and childhood overweight.
  • However, its association with childhood metabolic factors like insulin resistance and dyslipidemia remains less understood.
  • This study investigates the relationship between maternal shift work and metabolic health in early childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between maternal shift work during pregnancy and the risk of childhood overweight.
  • To investigate the impact of maternal shift work on metabolic outcomes, including insulin resistance and lipid profiles, in early childhood.
  • To discuss potential confounding factors such as diet, exercise, and demographics.

Main Methods:

  • The Taiwan Birth Panel Study (TBPS) II enrolled pregnant women between 2010-2012, with follow-up in 2018.
  • Children's demographic data, blood specimens (for blood sugar, insulin, lipid profiles), and maternal work history were collected.
  • Multiple linear and logistic regressions analyzed associations between maternal shift work and child overweight/metabolic disorders (e.g., HOMA-IR).

Main Results:

  • Shift work during pregnancy was associated with a higher Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance index (HOMA-IR).
  • Children born to mothers working shifts during pregnancy had a higher odds ratio for overweight after adjustment.
  • These associations were attenuated when considering shift work prior to pregnancy.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal shift work during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of childhood overweight.
  • The findings suggest a link between maternal shift work and insulin resistance in early childhood.
  • This highlights potential long-term health implications for offspring exposed to non-standard maternal work schedules.
Abstract

Keywords:
HOMA-IRduring pregnancyinsulin resistanceoverweightshift work

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