The journey of pregnancy can be very complex and delicate for the mother's body and the growing foetus. Various research suggest that while a healthy weight gain is essential for a developing baby, excess maternal weight during the critical first trimester can have unintended consequences. This leads to another important question - whether excess maternal weight can lead to fat accumulation in the foetus, potentially setting the stage for a lifetime of health challenges. We consulted with our expert to shed light on this matter. Let us learn about it in detail from Dr Anuradha Kapur, Principal Director(Obstetrics & Gynaecology) & Head of Unit, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket.
Can excess weight gain in mothers in the first trimester lead to fat accumulation in the foetus?
Dr Kapur said, “Foetuses of pregnant people who gained excess weight in the first trimester of pregnancy show signs of excess fat distribution in the upper arm and in the abdomen, study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).”
She mentioned, “Pregnant women with excessive weight gain, defined as more than 2 kilograms (about 4.4 pounds) in the first trimester, had foetuses with larger abdominal circumference and abdominal area and larger foetal arm fat thickness, when compared to pregnant people with adequate weight gain.”
She continued, “These differences were observed early in pregnancy and persisted throughout the entire gestational period, even when weight gain during the second and third trimesters was within normal ranges.”
3D Technology For More Accurate Results
The expert shared that the same study was able to use advanced 3D ultrasound technology, which allowed researchers to assess foetal body composition in much greater detail than in earlier studies.
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“The research has also found that it appears that putting on too much weight in the first and second trimesters can lead to a larger waistline and more abdominal fat. Furthermore, excessive weight gain in the first trimester alone has been linked to increased fat storage in the arms. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy to avoid potential long-term effects,” she cited.
“Although the differences did not reach statistical significance, there was a trend toward increased fetal arm, thigh, kidney, and liver volumes and abdominal subcutaneous tissue,” concluded the expert.
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