Children of UPBEAT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Children of UPBEAT: A study of Cardiovascular Function in 10-year-old children of Obese Women who Participated in an Antenatal Lifestyle Intervention.
IRAS ID
308663
Contact name
Sara White
Contact email
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN29498878
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Observational studies and investigations in experimental animals suggest that maternal obesity is associated with offspring cardiovascular disease risk. The UK Pregnancy Better Eating and Activity Trial (UPBEAT) was a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a lifestyle intervention in obese pregnant women which improved maternal
metabolic health. We recently observed subclinical changes in cardiac structure in the 3-year-old UPBEAT children and found the maternal intervention attenuated this remodelling and improved function, as well as reducing the heart rate. In the proposed study we shall track cardiovascular and metabolic risk in UPBEAT children at 10 years of age to determine whether the adverse influence of maternal obesity and the positive effect of the intervention persist. We shall undertake deep cardiovascular phenotyping in UPBEAT children; Measures will include cardiac function (echocardiography [ECG]), carotid artery intima-media thickness, arterial stiffness (vascular ultrasound), blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV). The role of the maternal metabolome, infant epigenome, shared family environment, diet, childhood physical activity and adiposity will be assessed as potential mediators/confounders in any relationships between maternal obesity and childhood cardiovascular function
observed. Blood samples will be stored at regional centres and then transferred to Dept of Women & Children's Health Biobank 10th Floor North Wing at St Thomas' Hospital for future metabolic phenotyping.REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0410
Date of REC Opinion
10 May 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion