Gross placental measures and childhood growth

Abstract

Objectives. We hypothesised that the gross placental measures would be positively associated with childhood growth.

Methods. We analysed data on 23,967 mother–infant pairs enrolled in the Collaborative Perinatal Project. In race-stratified regression models, the main outcomes were birthweight and z-score body-mass index (BMI) at ages 4 and 7.

Results. Some placental measures were significantly associated with z-score BMI at age 7: in Blacks, placental weight (β = 0.0004/g; 95%CI: 0.0001, 0.0008), chorionic plate area (β = 0.0007; 95%CI: 0.0001, 0.0012) and largest diameter (β = 0.013; 95%CI: 0.004, 0.026); and in Whites placental weight (β = 0.0004/g; 95%CI: 0.0001, 0.0003) and largest diameter (Model 3: β = 0.020; 95%CI: 0.007, 0.032). Tested as group, placental measures significantly predicted z-score BMI at age 7 (all p values < 0.005).

Conclusions. Placental structure independently predicts birthweight and childhood growth. Strategies to improve placental structure might favourably influence birthweight and childhood development.

Keywords:

• Birthweight
• BMI
• growth
• placenta