Fetal growth and adiposity of infants born large for gestational age in three harmonized randomized trials

• Amanda J. Poprzeczny
• Louise J.
• Deussen A.R.
• Dodd J.M.

Abstract

Aim. Infants born large for gestational age (LGA) are at an increased risk of shortand longer-term adverse outcomes. Understanding fetal growth and adiposity and their trajectories may help inform interventions to prevent birth of LGA infants. We aimed to compare fetal growth and adiposity measures of infants born LGA with those born not LGA, to determine whether the discrepancy at birth was primarily due to larger size throughout gestation, or instead to different trajectories of fetal growth.

Study design. This was a secondary analysis of secondary outcomes of fetal growth and adiposity from three harmonized randomized trials – the LIMIT, GRoW, and Optimise randomized trials. These trials recruited women in early pregnancy, and a singleton gestation, from three major public metropolitan Adelaide maternity hospitals. Maternal body mass index (BMI) ranged from 18.5 to 40.0 kg/m². Data were obtained from enrolled women who underwent research ultrasounds at 28 and 36 weeks’ gestation. Outcome measures were ultrasound measures of fetal biometry and adiposity.

Results. Infants born LGA had larger fetal biometry measures, and higher growth trajectories, from 20 weeks’ gestation. Fetal adiposity measures were consistently larger among infants born LGA and these differences increased over time. We did not find evidence that the differences in biometry and adiposity measurements varied according to maternal BMI.

Conclusion. Infants born LGA had larger fetal biometry measures at all time points from 20 weeks’ gestation, compared with infants born not LGA suggesting any interventions to prevent LGA likely need to commence earlier in pregnancy or prior to conception.

Key points. Infants born LGA had larger fetal biometry measures from 20 weeks’ gestation. Infants born LGA had larger fetal adiposity measures. Interventions to prevent LGA need to start earlier in pregnancy or prior to conception.

Keywords: large for gestational age; fetal growth; fetal adiposity; maternal overweight and obesity

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