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Updated: Jul 17, 2025
One-step Metabolomics: Carbohydrates, Organic and Amino Acids Quantified in a Single Procedure
Published on: June 25, 2010
Discrimination of blood metabolomics profiles in neonates with idiopathic polyhydramnios
Qiuping Yang1,2, Jie Song3, Zhirong Deng1,2
1Department of Pediatrics, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510655, Guangzhou, China.
Insights
Idiopathic polyhydramnios (IPH) in newborns is linked to altered blood metabolism, specifically in amino acid pathways. These metabolic differences may impact nervous system development, requiring ongoing monitoring in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Metabolism
- Biochemistry
- Perinatology
Background:
- Idiopathic polyhydramnios (IPH) is associated with increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including perinatal death and neonatal complications.
- Children with a history of IPH exhibit a higher incidence of developmental defects, particularly affecting the central nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the blood metabolic status of neonates with idiopathic polyhydramnios (IPH) and healthy controls.
- To investigate the relationship between IPH and fetal health through metabolomic profiling.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples from 32 neonates with IPH and 32 controls were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
- Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and metabolite enrichment analyses were employed to identify differential metabolites and pathways.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in blood metabolism were observed between neonates with IPH and controls.
- Six discriminant metabolites (glutamate, serine, asparagine, aspartic acid, homocysteine, phenylalanine) were identified.
- Differential metabolites were primarily enriched in aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism pathways.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first metabolomic profiles of newborns with IPH, revealing potential links to amino acid synthesis and nervous system development.
- Metabolic alterations in IPH may influence neurological outcomes, underscoring the need for continued monitoring of nervous system development in affected infants.
Abstract:
This study aimed to compare the blood metabolic status of neonates with idiopathic polyhydramnios (IPH) and those with normal amniotic fluid, and to explore the relationship between IPH and fetal health. Blood metabolites of 32 patients with IPH and 32 normal controls admitted to the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2017 and December 2022 were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and metabolite enrichment analyses were performed to identify the differential metabolites and metabolic pathways. There was a significant difference in the blood metabolism between newborns with IPH and those with normal amniotic fluid. Six discriminant metabolites were identified: glutamate, serine, asparagine, aspartic acid, homocysteine, and phenylalanine. Differential metabolites were mainly enriched in two pathways: aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism.
Conclusions:
This study is the first to investigate metabolomic profiles in newborns with IPH and examine the correlation between IPH and fetal health. Differential metabolites and pathways may affect amino acid synthesis and the nervous system. Continuous attention to the development of the nervous system in children with IPH is necessary.
What Is Known:
• There is an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes with IPH, such as perinatal death, neonatal asphyxia, neonatal intensive care admission, cesarean section rates, and postpartum hemorrhage. • Children with a history of IPH have a higher proportion of defects than the general population, particularly central nervous system problems, neuromuscular disorders, and other malformations.
What Is New:
• In neonates with IPH, six differential metabolites were identified with significant differences and good AUC values using LC-MS/MS analysis: glutamic acid, serine, asparagine, aspartic acid, homocysteine, and phenylalanine, which were mainly enriched in two metabolic pathways: aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. • These differential metabolites and pathways may affect amino acid synthesis and development of the nervous system in neonates with IPH.
