Leukocyte telomere length and birth characteristics associated with obesity in infancy in a predominantly Latinx cohort
Authors' conclusion
LTL at birth may be a marker, in addition to birthweight, that can be used to assess an infant's risk for subsequent obesity. Future studies are needed to better assess and determine possible maternal exposures associated with shorter newborn LTL.
Study context
- Population
- Primarily Latinx mother-child cohort; 65.89% Latinx ethnicityfollowed to 12 months
- Participants
- 302 participants
- Exposure
- Newborn leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and birth characteristics as predictors of infant obesity
- Outcome
- Obesity (WFA ≥ 95th percentile)
- Follow-up
- 12 months
Methodological detailslongitudinal mother-child cohort
- Longitudinal mother-child cohort
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Independent predictors of obesity
- Prevalence of obesity
- 4.97%
- Higher birthweight Z scores, OR
- 2.24 (1.16, 5.05) (CI)
- Weight-for-age (WFA) Z scores at 6 months, OR
- 1.56 (1.19, 2.05) (CI)
- Longer LTL at birth (protective), OR
- 0.04 (0.002, 0.79) (95% CI)
- Higher Apgar scores at 5 min (protective), OR
- 0.30 (0.13-0.72) (95% CI)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
WFA Z scores · 12 months
- LTL at birth negatively associated with WFA Z scores, multivariable Coeff
- −0.58 (−1.05, −0.12) (95% CI)
- Multivariable models
Original publication
Leukocyte telomere length and birth characteristics associated with obesity in infancy in a predominantly Latinx cohort. Pediatr Obes. Published 17 June 2025. doi:10.
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