Sex-specific white matter alterations in children exposed to high pregestational BMI

IF 4.2 2区医学 Q1 ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM

Obesity Pub Date : 2025-04-06 DOI:10.1002/oby.24277

Samson Nivins, Jess Reynolds, Gerald F. Giesbrecht, Deborah Dewey, Nicole Letourneau, Catherine Lebel

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

This study investigated whether exposure to high pregestational BMI (≥ 25 kg/m²) is associated with alterations in white matter microstructure in early childhood, explored sex-specific effects, and examined associations with cognitive performance.

Methods

A total of 90 children from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) cohort underwent diffusion tensor imaging between ages 2 and 7 years. Data were processed using ExploreDTI to obtain mean fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD). Pregestational weight was self-reported by pregnant individuals, height was measured at enrollment, and child cognitive outcomes were assessed at ages 3 to 4 years using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence.

Results

Children exposed to high pregestational BMI had lower FA, but not higher MD, in the superior longitudinal fasciculus and in the body and splenium of the corpus callosum compared with unexposed children (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²). This association persisted when analyzing pregestational obesity and overweight categories separately. Altered FA in splenium of the corpus callosum was associated with poorer cognitive outcomes in exposed children. Exposed male children had higher FA in the fornix, whereas female children had lower FA in the body and splenium of the corpus callosum compared with unexposed peers.

Conclusions

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.

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孕前体重指数高的儿童白质改变的性别特异性。

目的：本研究探讨了孕期高BMI（≥25 kg/m2）暴露是否与儿童早期白质微结构改变有关，探讨了性别特异性影响，并检查了与认知表现的关系。方法：来自艾伯塔省妊娠结局和营养（围裙）队列的90名儿童在2至7岁之间接受弥散张量成像。使用explordti对数据进行处理，得到平均分数各向异性（FA）和平均扩散率（MD）。孕妇自我报告孕期体重，在入组时测量身高，并在3至4岁时使用韦氏学前和初级智力量表评估儿童认知结果。结果：与未暴露的儿童（BMI 18.5 ~ 24.9 kg/m2）相比，暴露于妊娠期高BMI的儿童在上纵束、胼胝体体和脾部的FA较低，但MD不高。在分别分析妊娠期肥胖和超重类别时，这种关联仍然存在。胼胝体脾脏FA的改变与暴露儿童较差的认知结果有关。与未暴露的同龄人相比，暴露的男孩在穹窿中有较高的FA，而女孩在身体和胼胝体脾中有较低的FA。结论：高妊娠期BMI与儿童早期白质微结构的改变有性别特异性。在育龄人群中推广健康的生活方式和体重管理至关重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Obesity 医学-内分泌学与代谢

CiteScore

11.70

自引率

1.40%

发文量

261

审稿时长

2-4 weeks

期刊介绍： Obesity is the official journal of The Obesity Society and is the premier source of information for increasing knowledge, fostering translational research from basic to population science, and promoting better treatment for people with obesity. Obesity publishes important peer-reviewed research and cutting-edge reviews, commentaries, and public health and medical developments.