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Accelerated Longitudinal Weight Gain Among Infants With In Utero COVID-19 Exposure

Mollie W Ockene1, Samuel C Russo1, Hang Lee2

  • 1Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|March 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Infants exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in utero showed different weight and BMI growth patterns in their first year. This prenatal COVID-19 exposure may impact long-term cardiometabolic health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatal Health
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

  • The health outcomes of infants with in utero exposure to maternal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are largely unknown.
  • A novel population of children with prenatal COVID-19 exposure has emerged globally.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the longitudinal growth trajectories of infants with and without in utero COVID-19 exposure.
  • To investigate the impact of prenatal COVID-19 on infant growth parameters including weight, length, and BMI.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal cohort study was conducted using a prospectively enrolled perinatal biorepository.
  • Data from 149 infants with in utero COVID-19 exposure and 127 unexposed controls were analyzed.
  • Infant weight, length, and BMI z-scores were tracked at birth, 2, 6, and 12 months, with adjustments for relevant covariates.

Main Results:

  • Infants with in utero COVID-19 exposure exhibited differential trajectories of weight and BMI z-scores compared to controls.
  • Lower birth weight z-score and accelerated BMI z-score gain from birth to 12 months were observed in the exposed group.
  • Birth weight z-score mediated the relationship between prenatal COVID-19 exposure and postnatal growth.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal COVID-19 exposure is associated with lower birth weight and accelerated weight gain in the first year of life.
  • These growth alterations may indicate potential downstream cardiometabolic pathology.
  • Further research is necessary to understand the long-term cardiometabolic sequelae in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
BMICOVID-19fetal programminggrowthin utero

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