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Published on: June 28, 2024
Maternal Nutritional Adherence and Second-Trimester Amniotic-Fluid Metabolomic Profiles: An Exploratory Study
Giulia Gaudiello1,2, Jacopo Troisi3,4,5, Laura Sarno6
1Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy impacts fetal development. This study found links between a mother's diet quality and the baby's amniotic fluid metabolomic profile, suggesting a connection via metabolic programming.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Medicine
- Metabolomics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Maternal nutrition influences fetal development and long-term health.
- Epigenetic and metabolic programming are potential mechanisms.
- Molecular links between maternal diet and fetal biochemistry are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore associations between maternal nutritional adequacy and the second-trimester amniotic fluid metabolomic profile.
- To identify potential molecular mediators of maternal diet's impact on fetal development.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 41 pregnant women undergoing second-trimester amniocentesis.
- Amniotic fluid (AF) analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
- Nutritional status assessed via the FIGO Nutrition Checklist; multivariate analysis (PLS-DA) used to identify discriminatory metabolites.
Main Results:
- Exploratory analysis revealed differences in AF metabolomic profiles between groups with adequate versus inadequate maternal diets.
- Candidate metabolites including stearic acid, lactic acid, proline, and scyllo-inositol were associated with dietary groups.
- Findings suggest potential roles for energy, amino acid, and lipid metabolic pathways.
Conclusions:
- Maternal dietary quality is associated with distinct amniotic fluid metabolomic profiles in the second trimester.
- Amniotic fluid metabolomics may serve as a valuable tool for investigating the fetal biochemical environment.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these preliminary findings and elucidate specific mechanisms.
