Newborn babies tend to have
more fat in their bodies, including in their liver, if their
mothers had a higher body mass index (BMI) prior to falling
pregnant, new research has found.
"This study demonstrates that a
woman's BMI affects the amount of fat in her baby at birth.
Fatter women have fatter babies and there is more fat in the
babies' livers. If these effects persist through childhood
and beyond, they could put the child at risk of lifelong
metabolic health problems," explained lead researcher, Prof
Neena Modi, of Imperial College London.
The team carried out MRI
(magnetic resonance imaging) scans on 105 sleeping babies in
order to measure the total amount of fat in their bodies,
including in their liver cells, and the way the fat was
distributed.
The study showed that the
higher a mother's BMI was before she got pregnant, the more
fat a baby had in their body, particularly around the
abdomen and in the liver.
The researchers pointed out
that children born to overweight and obese mothers are more
likely to become overweight or obese themselves. They also
have a higher risk of developing conditions such as type 2
diabetes.
According to the team, the
higher levels of fat found in some babies may signal the
first biological changes, which if combined with unhealthy
practises, may significantly increase the risk of poorer
health in the future.
"There is growing evidence
that a baby's development before birth has a major impact on
their health in later life. This means that the prevention
of obesity needs to begin in the womb.
"We need to identify what
the optimal BMI for the mother is so we can help women
ensure that their bodies are in the best possible condition
before they get pregnant," Prof Modi said.
Details of these findings
are published in the journal, Pediatric Research.
