Linking Neonatal Birth Weight with AMH Levels in Umbilical Cord and Maternal Blood: A Prospective Study

We aimed to study the correlation between umbilical cord anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels and neonatal birth weight as well as the correlation between maternal and neonatal AMH levels.

A prospective observational single center cohort study, conducted at the Carmel Medical Center delivery room from March 2022 to December 2024. Two hundred and one patients and their female newborns were recruited and had umbilical cord and maternal blood AMH levels obtained. Small for gestational age (SGA) was defined as birthweight up to the 10th percentile according to the Hadlock equations. Associations with AMH levels were assessed using linear regression with logarithmic transformation of AMH. Variables significant in univariable analyses (P < 0.05) were included in multivariable models. Analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.

In the SGA group 42 women and their female newborns were included with a mean (SD) birth weight of 2708 (± 218) g, while the appropriate for gestational age (AGA) group included 159 women and their female newborns, with a mean (SD) birth weight of 3362 (±322) g. Median (interquartile range (IQR)) newborn AMH levels were found to be 0.18 (0.07-0.57) in the SGA group, and 0.15 (0.06-0.68) in the AGA group. No differences were found between neonatal AMH levels of the SGA and AGA group (p=0.78). A correlation was found between maternal and neonatal AMH levels (r=0.35, p=0.001), that remained significant in an adjusted multivariate model that included adjustment to age, gravidity, parity, maternal body mass index (BMI), paternal BMI, smoking status and comorbidities.

Female newborns born SGA were found to have comparable levels of AMH as female AGA newborns. A correlation between maternal and neonatal AMH levels was observed, implying AMH genetic predisposition of ovarian reserve, yet more research is needed to conclude clinical applications of this finding.