Work

Sex-specific associations of maternal prenatal testosterone levels with birth weight and weight gain in infancy

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Associations between maternal salivary testosterone at 36 weeks' gestation with birth weight and infant weight gain through 6 months of age were examined in a group of 49 healthy, pregnant women and their offspring. The diurnal decline of maternal testosterone was conserved in late pregnancy, and levels showed significant day-to-day stability. Elevated maternal morning testosterone level was associated with lower birth weight Z-scores adjusted for gestational age and sex, and greater infant weight gain between birth and 6 months. Although maternal testosterone levels did not differ by fetal sex, relations were sex-specific such that maternal testosterone had a significant impact on weight for male infants; among female infants associations were nonsignificant. Results highlight the opposing influence of maternal androgens during pregnancy on decreased growth in utero and accelerated postnatal weight gain.

Source: Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

DOI: 10.1017/s2040174413000135

Authors: K. M. Voegtline, K. A. Costigan, K. T. Kivlighan, J. L. Henderson, J. A. DiPietro

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Birth, Development, and Health

Subfield: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development