Sex‐specific white matter alterations in children exposed to high pregestational BMI
Authors' conclusion
High pregestational BMI was associated with alterations in white matter microstructure during early childhood in a sex-specific manner. Promoting healthy lifestyles and weight management among individuals of childbearing age is crucial.
Study context
- Population
- Children aged 2 to 7 years from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) cohort
- Participants
- 90 children
- Exposure
- High pregestational BMI vs normal pregestational BMI
- Outcome
- White matter microstructure: mean FA and mean diffusivity on diffusion tensor imaging
- Follow-up
- Ages 2 to 7 years
Methodological detailsAPrON cohort, diffusion tensor imaging
- APrON cohort
- Diffusion tensor imaging
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
White matter FA and mean diffusivity
- Exposed children had lower fractional anisotropy (FA), but not higher mean diffusivity, in the superior longitudinal fasciculus and in the body and splenium of the corpus callosum vs unexposed
- Association persisted when analysing pregestational obesity and overweight categories separately
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Cognitive performance (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence) · ages 3 to 4 years
- Altered FA in splenium of the corpus callosum associated with poorer cognitive outcomes in exposed children
Sex-specific FA
- Exposed males had higher FA in the fornix vs unexposed peers
- Exposed females had lower FA in the body and splenium of the corpus callosum vs unexposed peers
Original publication
Sex‐specific white matter alterations in children exposed to high pregestational BMI. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 6 April 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →