Maternal cardiometabolic markers are associated with fetal growth: a secondary exploratory analysis of the LIMIT randomised trial

BACKGROUND: To determine the association between maternal cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers with measures of fetal biometry and adiposity. METHODS: Women included in this exploratory analysis were randomised to the ‘Standard Care’ group (N = 911) from the LIMIT randomised trial involving a total of 2212 pregnant women who were overweight or obese (ACTRN12607000161426, Date of registration 9/03/2007, prospectively registered). Fetal biometry including abdominal circumference (AC), estimated fetal weight (EFW), and adiposity measurements (mid-thigh fat mass, subscapular fat mass, abdominal fat mass) were obtained from ultrasound assessments at 28 and 36 weeks’ gestation. Maternal markers included C reactive protein (CRP), leptin and adiponectin concentrations, measured at 28 and 36 weeks’ gestation and fasting triglycerides and glucose concentrations measured at 28 weeks’ gestation. RESULTS: There were negative associations identified between maternal serum adiponectin and fetal ultrasound markers of biometry and adiposity. After adjusting for confounders, a 1-unit increase in log Adiponectin was associated with a reduction in the mean AC z score [− 0.21 (− 0.35, − 0.07), P = 0.004] and EFW [− 0.23 (− 0.37, − 0.10), P < 0.001] at 28 weeks gestation. Similarly, a 1-unit increase in log Adiponectin was association with a reduction in the mean AC z score [− 0.30 (− 0.46, − 0.13), P < 0.001] and EFW [− 0.24 (− 0.38, − 0.10), P < 0.001] at 36 weeks gestation. There were no consistent associations between maternal cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers with measurements of fetal adiposity. CONCLUSION: Adiponectin concentrations are associated with measures of fetal growth. Our findings contribute to further understanding of fetal growth in the setting of women who are overweight or obesity.