Second Trimester Estimated Fetal Weight and Fetal Weight Gain Predict Childhood Obesity
The Journal of Pediatrics, 06/15/2012
Parker M et al. – More rapid fetal weight gain and persistently high fetal weight during the second half of gestation predicted higher BMI z–score at age 3 years. The rate of fetal weight gain throughout pregnancy may be important for future risk of adiposity in childhood.
Methods- Among 438 children in the Project Viva cohort, they estimated fetal weight at 16-20 (median 18) weeks' gestation using ultrasound biometry measures.
- The authors analyzed fetal weight gain as change in quartile of weight from the second trimester until birth, and they measured height, weight, subscapular and triceps skinfold thicknesses, and BP at age 3.
- Mean (SD) estimated weight at 16-20 weeks was 234 (30) g and birth weight was 3518 (420) g.
- In adjusted models, weight estimated during the second trimester and at birth were associated with higher body mass index (BMI) z-scores at age 3 years (0.32 unit [95% CI, 0.04-0.60 unit] and 0.53 unit [95% CI, 0.24-0.81 unit] for the highest vs lowest quartile of weight).
- Infants with more rapid fetal weight gain and those who remained large from mid-pregnancy to birth had higher BMI z-scores (0.85 unit [95% CI, 0.30-1.39 unit] and 0.63 unit [95% CI, 0.17-1.09 unit], respectively) at age 3 than did infants who remained small during fetal life.
