The role of prenatal maternal sex steroid hormones in weight and adiposity at birth and growth trajectories during infancy
Authors' conclusion
We observed associations between prenatal sex steroid hormone exposure and birthweight, neonatal adiposity and infant growth that were sex and gestational timing dependent. Our findings suggest further investigation on additional mechanisms linking prenatal sex steroid exposure and fetal/postnatal growth is needed.
Study context
- Population
- Term-delivered participants of a prospective pregnancy cohort; maternal estrone, estradiol, estriol, total and free testosterone in each trimester (HPLC–tandem mass spectrometry)
- Participants
- 252 participants
- Outcome
- Birthweight, neonatal adiposity (truncal skinfold thickness) and infant growth trajectories
- Follow-up
- Birth to 12 months
Methodological detailspath analyses, adjusted for covariates, moderation by sex considered
- Path analyses
- Adjusted for covariates
- Moderation by sex considered
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- First-trimester estrone and birthweight z-scores, female infants
- β 0.37 (0.02, 0.73) (95% CI)
- First-trimester estrone and truncal skinfold thickness at birth, female infants
- β 0.94 (0.34, 1.54) (95% CI)
- Third-trimester total testosterone and truncal skinfold thickness at birth, both sexes
- β 0.47 (0.03, 0.86) (95% CI)
- First-trimester estrone and high stable vs low stable weight trajectory, male infants
- β −3.87 (−6.59, −1.16) (95% CI)
- First-trimester estradiol and high stable vs low stable weight trajectory, male infants
- β −4.36 (−7.62, −1.11) (95% CI)
- First-trimester testosterone and high stable vs low stable weight trajectory, male infants
- β −3.53 (−6.63, −0.43) (95% CI)
- Third-trimester testosterone and high stable vs low stable weight trajectory, male infants
- β −3.67 (−6.66, −0.69) (95% CI)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
The role of prenatal maternal sex steroid hormones in weight and adiposity at birth and growth trajectories during infancy. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 17 March 2025. doi:10.
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