0
0
Excess weight gain during the early stages of pregnancy may have a long-lasting impact on fetal development, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that fetuses of pregnant people who gained more than 2 kilograms (approximately 4.4 pounds) in the first trimester exhibited signs of excess fat distribution, particularly in the upper arm and abdomen.
The study, led by experts at NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, analyzed data from over 2,600 singleton pregnancies. The data included information on maternal weight before and during pregnancy, alongside three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound scans conducted at various stages throughout the pregnancy.
The findings revealed that pregnant individuals who experienced excessive weight gain in the first trimester had fetuses with larger abdominal circumferences and increased fat thickness in the arms, compared to those with more moderate weight gain. Notably, these fetuses continued to show larger arm and abdominal measurements through the rest of the pregnancy, even when weight gain during the second and third trimesters was within normal limits.
The study’s authors emphasized that this research adds a new dimension to the understanding of prenatal weight gain. While previous studies have linked overall weight gain throughout pregnancy to birth weight, they have not focused on the timing of that weight gain or examined detailed 3D measurements of fetal fat. This study suggests that early pregnancy weight gain, rather than total weight gain, may be a key factor in fetal fat buildup, which can influence the child’s risk for obesity and related conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, later in life.
The researchers hope their findings will help inform preventive efforts to limit excessive weight gain during early pregnancy, potentially reducing the risk of long-term health complications for both the child and the mother. The study underscores the importance of managing weight gain early in pregnancy as part of a broader approach to maternal and child health.
For more detailed information, the study titled “Relationship between gestational weight gain with fetal body composition and organ volumes in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Fetal Dimensional Study” can be accessed in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Source: Kathryn A. Wagner et al., The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.12.007
