Influence of gestational and perinatal factors on body composition of full‐term newborns

Objective

To evaluate the influence of gestational and perinatal factors on body composition and birth weight of full‐term newborns.

Method

This was a cross‐sectional study, within a prospective cohort, consisting of 124 postpartum women and their newborns. Data included the following: maternal age; ethnicity; pre‐gestational body mass index; gestational weight gain; parity; gestational morbidities (hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus); gestational age at birth; birth weight; and newborn's gender. Anthropometric and body composition data of the newborns were collected using air‐displacement plethysmography (PeaPod® Infant Body Composition System–LMI; Concord, CA, USA). The stepwise technique was applied to a multiple linear regression model.

Results

The significant variables in the model that explained 84% of the variation in neonatal fat‐free mass were: birth weight; maternal age; newborn's gender and gestational age. For body fat mass: birth weight; newborn's gender; gestational arterial hypertension; gestational diabetes; and gestational weight gain. These variables explained 60% and 46% of fat mass, in grams and as a percentage, respectively. Regarding birth weight, the significant factors were gestational age, pre‐gestational BMI, and gestational weight gain. Female newborns showed higher body fat mass and male newborns had higher fat‐free mass.

Conclusion

Gestational and perinatal factors influence neonatal body composition. Early identification of these gestational factors, which may be modifiable, is necessary to prevent obesity and chronic noncommunicable diseases in the future.