Role of maternal adverse/risk outcomes on offspring’s body composition

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Role of maternal adverse (risk) outcomes and ethnicity on offspring body fat content in White Caucasians and South Asians

• IRAS ID

  214062

• Contact name

  PONNUSAMY SARAVANAN

• Duration of Study in the UK

  5 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  There is increasing evidence in the association between birth weight and risk of developing diabetes in the future. Many studies have shown that factors acting during early development (maternal BMI, gestational diabetes mellitus - GDM, small or large for gestational age – SGA or LGA, pre-eclampsia) increase the chances of obesity and metabolic syndrome in later life. However, the major limitation of the available literature is the lack of accurate body fat measurement. There has been no studies that measured both the body fat and muscle mass of the offspring who are born to mothers at risk of GDM (eg., obese mothers, Asians) or who have developed GDM.\nAdverse body composition (such as higher fat and lower muscle) in adulthood is proven to be linked with metabolic disorders. We hypothesis this is programmed in the offspring born to mothers with such risk. Purpose of the study is to find if there are any associations between different risk factors during pregnancy and offspring body composition. If our hypothesis is true, future research will need to focus on ways to prevent this adverse outcome, starting from the preconception period.\nWe aim to recruit up to 3000 mothers. Offspring body composition will be assessed using air displacement plethysmography (PEA POD Infant Body Composition System Version 3.1.0). We are one of the very few Trusts who are privileged to have the PEAPOD machine. Within 5 minutes we are able to provide precise measurements on baby’s body fat and fat free mass, using a safe and baby friendly method. Results will be further categorized according to mother’s risk factors in order to find associations between maternal adverse outcomes and baby’s body composition. \n

• REC name

  North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  16/NW/0796

• Date of REC Opinion

  31 Oct 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion