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Association between TGFβ1 Levels in Cord Blood and Weight Progress in the First Year of Life

Noura Kabbani1, Holger Stepan1, Matthias Blüher2,3

  • 1Department of Obstetrics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.

Biomedicines
|August 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ1) in cord blood is primarily of fetal origin and positively correlates with infant weight gain. Higher TGFβ1 levels at birth predict increased body weight in the first year of life.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Perinatal Medicine

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ1) is an adipokine involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis.
  • The specific roles of TGFβ1 in pregnancy and early child development, as well as its origin in cord blood, remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between cord blood TGFβ1 levels and intrauterine and early childhood growth parameters.
  • To determine if TGFβ1 in cord blood originates from maternal or fetal sources.

Main Methods:

  • Serum samples and anthropometric data were collected from 79 healthy mother-child pairs in the LIFE Child cohort.
  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to measure TGFβ1 levels.
  • Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U-test, correlation, and multivariate regression analyses.

Main Results:

  • TGFβ1 levels were significantly higher in cord serum compared to maternal serum, indicating a fetal origin.
  • Cord TGFβ1 levels at birth showed a strong positive correlation with child weight at U6 and at approximately one year of age.
  • Each 10,000 pg/mL increase in cord TGFβ1 at birth was linked to a 201 g increase in body weight at one year, adjusted for sex.

Conclusions:

  • Cord blood TGFβ1 is predominantly of fetal origin.
  • Elevated TGFβ1 levels at birth are associated with increased infant weight gain during the first year of life, suggesting a role in early growth regulation.

Keywords:
TFGβ1adipokinechild growthgestationintrauterine growth

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