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Mother's lifetime nutrition and the size, shape and efficiency of the placenta

Mother's lifetime nutrition and the size, shape and efficiency of the placenta
Mother's lifetime nutrition and the size, shape and efficiency of the placenta
Background

Studies have shown that the shape and size of the placenta at birth predict blood pressure in later life. The influences that determine placental morphology are largely unknown. We have examined the role of mother’s body size.

Methods

We studied 522 neonates who were born in a maternity hospital in Mysore, South India. The weight of the placenta and the length and breadth of its surface, were measured after delivery.

Results

Higher maternal fat mass predicted a larger placental surface (p=0.02), while larger maternal head circumference predicted a more oval placental surface (p=0.03). Higher maternal fat mass and larger maternal head circumference were associated with greater placental efficiency, indicated by lower ratios of the length (p=0.0003 and p=0.0001 respectively) and breadth (p=0.0002 and p<0.0001) of the surface to birthweight. In a sub-sample of 51 mothers whose own birthweight was available, higher maternal birthweight was related to lower ratios of the length and breadth of the surface to birthweight (p=0.01 and 0.002). Maternal height was unrelated to placental size or shape.

Conclusions

Higher maternal fat mass, reflecting the mother’s current nutritional state, and larger maternal head circumference, reflecting the mother’s fetal/infant growth, are associated with changes in the shape and size of the placental surface and greater placental efficiency. We suggest that these associations reflect effects of the mother’s nutrition at different stages of her lifecourse on the development of the placenta and on materno-placento-fetal transfer of nutrients.
birthweight, maternal body composition, placenta, placental efficiency
0143-4004
806-810
Winder, N.R.
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Krishnaveni, G.V.
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Veena, S.R.
2acd1a9f-ce06-4cd2-bbdb-8f0057308e0e
Hill, J.C.
418c7f77-f207-4e8d-98fa-7dbe8b2a02c1
Karat, C.L.S.
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Thornburg, K.L.
d4c41e0d-b72a-48aa-b9d7-0eae04385497
Fall, C.H.D.
7171a105-34f5-4131-89d7-1aa639893b18
Barker, D.J.P.
64c6005a-eea7-4c26-8f07-50d875998512
Winder, N.R.
ebcddda5-9258-4b47-ade6-3c08ec756b22
Krishnaveni, G.V.
e9cc468a-8262-4dde-8eba-e047c68a3dce
Veena, S.R.
2acd1a9f-ce06-4cd2-bbdb-8f0057308e0e
Hill, J.C.
418c7f77-f207-4e8d-98fa-7dbe8b2a02c1
Karat, C.L.S.
b57295ea-44d2-4607-a007-a3fcce3ecf0c
Thornburg, K.L.
d4c41e0d-b72a-48aa-b9d7-0eae04385497
Fall, C.H.D.
7171a105-34f5-4131-89d7-1aa639893b18
Barker, D.J.P.
64c6005a-eea7-4c26-8f07-50d875998512

Winder, N.R., Krishnaveni, G.V., Veena, S.R., Hill, J.C., Karat, C.L.S., Thornburg, K.L., Fall, C.H.D. and Barker, D.J.P. (2011) Mother's lifetime nutrition and the size, shape and efficiency of the placenta. Placenta, 32 (11), 806-810. (doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2011.09.001). (PMID:21924491)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Background

Studies have shown that the shape and size of the placenta at birth predict blood pressure in later life. The influences that determine placental morphology are largely unknown. We have examined the role of mother’s body size.

Methods

We studied 522 neonates who were born in a maternity hospital in Mysore, South India. The weight of the placenta and the length and breadth of its surface, were measured after delivery.

Results

Higher maternal fat mass predicted a larger placental surface (p=0.02), while larger maternal head circumference predicted a more oval placental surface (p=0.03). Higher maternal fat mass and larger maternal head circumference were associated with greater placental efficiency, indicated by lower ratios of the length (p=0.0003 and p=0.0001 respectively) and breadth (p=0.0002 and p<0.0001) of the surface to birthweight. In a sub-sample of 51 mothers whose own birthweight was available, higher maternal birthweight was related to lower ratios of the length and breadth of the surface to birthweight (p=0.01 and 0.002). Maternal height was unrelated to placental size or shape.

Conclusions

Higher maternal fat mass, reflecting the mother’s current nutritional state, and larger maternal head circumference, reflecting the mother’s fetal/infant growth, are associated with changes in the shape and size of the placental surface and greater placental efficiency. We suggest that these associations reflect effects of the mother’s nutrition at different stages of her lifecourse on the development of the placenta and on materno-placento-fetal transfer of nutrients.

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More information

Published date: November 2011
Keywords: birthweight, maternal body composition, placenta, placental efficiency
Organisations: Human Development & Health

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 204379
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/204379
ISSN: 0143-4004
PURE UUID: cccbe494-cb1f-4533-8214-3b869e59d35e
ORCID for C.H.D. Fall: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-4402-5552

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Date deposited: 28 Nov 2011 12:18
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:39

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Contributors

Author: N.R. Winder
Author: G.V. Krishnaveni
Author: S.R. Veena
Author: J.C. Hill
Author: C.L.S. Karat
Author: K.L. Thornburg
Author: C.H.D. Fall ORCID iD
Author: D.J.P. Barker

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