Impact of preconception and antenatal supplementation with myo-inositol, probiotics, and micronutrients on offspring BMI and weight gain over the first 2 years

Lyons-Reid, Jaz, Derraik, José G.B., Kenealy, Timothy, Albert, Benjamin B., Ramos Nieves, J. Manuel, Monnard, Cathriona R., Titcombe, Philip, Nield, Heidi, Barton, Sheila, El-Heis, Sarah, Tham, Elizabeth Huiwen, Godfrey, Keith, Chan, Shiao-Yng and Cutfield, Wayne , NiPPeR Study Group (2024) Impact of preconception and antenatal supplementation with myo-inositol, probiotics, and micronutrients on offspring BMI and weight gain over the first 2 years. BMC Medicine, 22 (1), [39]. (doi:10.1186/s12916-024-03246-w).

Abstract

Background: Nutritional intervention preconception and throughout pregnancy has been proposed as an approach to promoting healthy postnatal weight gain in the offspring but few randomised trials have examined this. Methods: Measurements of weight and length were obtained at multiple time points from birth to 2 years among 576 offspring of women randomised to receive preconception and antenatally either a supplement containing myo-inositol, probiotics, and additional micronutrients (intervention) or a standard micronutrient supplement (control). We examined the influence on age- and sex-standardised BMI at 2 years (WHO standards, adjusting for study site, sex, maternal parity, smoking and pre-pregnancy BMI, and gestational age), together with the change in weight, length, BMI from birth, and weight gain trajectories using latent class growth analysis. Results: At 2 years, there was a trend towards lower mean BMI among intervention offspring (adjusted mean difference [aMD] − 0.14 SD [95% CI 0.30, 0.02], p = 0.09), and fewer had a BMI > 95th percentile (i.e. > 1.65 SD, 9.2% vs 18.0%, adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 0.51 [95% CI 0.31, 0.82], p = 0.006). Longitudinal data revealed that intervention offspring had a 24% reduced risk of experiencing rapid weight gain > 0.67 SD in the first year of life (21.9% vs 31.1%, aRR 0.76 [95% CI 0.58, 1.00], p = 0.047). The risk was likewise decreased for sustained weight gain > 1.34 SD in the first 2 years of life (7.7% vs 17.1%, aRR 0.55 [95% CI 0.34, 0.88], p = 0.014). From five weight gain trajectories identified, there were more intervention offspring in the “normal” weight gain trajectory characterised by stable weight SDS around 0 SD from birth to 2 years (38.8% vs 30.1%, RR 1.29 [95% CI 1.03, 1.62], p = 0.029). Conclusions: Supplementation with myo-inositol, probiotics, and additional micronutrients preconception and in pregnancy reduced the incidence of rapid weight gain and obesity at 2 years among offspring. Previous reports suggest these effects will likely translate to health benefits, but longer-term follow-up is needed to evaluate this. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02509988 (Universal Trial Number U1111-1171–8056). Registered on 16 July 2015.

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Contributors

Author: Philip Titcombe

Author: Sheila Barton

Author: Sarah El-Heis

Author: Keith Godfrey

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