ECHO Study Links Maternal Health Factors With Newborn Metabolism and Child Body Mass Index

Authors: Britt Snyder, Tina Hartert, James Gern, et al.

Who sponsored this study?

The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health supported this research.

Why was this study needed?

Few studies have looked at possible links between maternal health characteristics, including environmental stressors, and the metabolism of newborns. Metabolism refers to chemical reactions that take place within the cells to provide the body with the energy needed for growth and maintaining health. Researchers often study metabolism by measuring the blood levels of certain molecules—called metabolites—that are created during those chemical processes.

This study expanded previous findings that showed links between maternal characteristics (such as pre-pregnancy smoking, pre-pregnancy body mass index, education, occupation status, marital status, age at delivery, asthma diagnosis, diabetes during pregnancy, or type of delivery) and amounts of metabolites in newborns. The study also explored the link between these metabolites and child growth patterns. In addition, this study explores the maternal factors and potential series of chemical changes in utero (in the womb) that may contribute to the link between newborn metabolism and childhood BMI*.

*Body Mass Index (BMI) is a common health screening tool that considers both height and weight.

What were the study results?

The researchers identified links between maternal health characteristics and the concentration of various metabolites in newborns. Additionally, this study showed that some metabolites were also linked to childhood BMI at ages 1–3 years.

The study found that factors like higher BMI before pregnancy or maternal age at delivery seemed to increase the levels of key metabolites in newborns. However, other metabolites which were linked with maternal health characteristics were not associated with changes in childhood BMI.

What was the study's impact?

Previous research has shown associations between levels of some newborn metabolites and childhood growth, overweight, and obesity. This study provides additional insights on the maternal factors and potential in utero pathways connecting newborn metabolism and later metabolic dysfunction in children. Such imbalance may increase a person’s lifetime risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other serious health problems.

Who was involved?

This study included 3,492 infants enrolled in three ECHO research sites with linked newborn screening metabolic data.

What happened during the study?

The researchers used data on maternal health characteristics collected from questionnaires, birth certificates, and medical records. Child BMI was obtained from medical records and study visits. The researchers used statistical tools to evaluate possible links between maternal health characteristics and newborn metabolism.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

What happens next?

This study is an early step in assessing biological pathways through which maternal health characteristics may influence prenatal metabolic development. These metabolic changes may then influence health after birth. Future studies are needed to further explore the potential pathways through which maternal health characteristics may impact child health.

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “The Associations of Maternal Health Characteristics, Newborn Metabolite Concentrations, and Child Body Mass Index among US Children in the ECHO Program,” in Metabolites.

The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published April 1, 2023

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