Impact of parental obesity on neonatal markers of inflammation and immune response

Abstract

Background/Objectives Maternal obesity may influence neonatal and childhood morbidities through increased inflammation and/or altered immune response. Less is known about paternal obesity. We hypothesized that excessive parental weight contributes to elevated inflammation and altered immunoglobulin (Ig) profiles in neonates. Subjects/Methods In the Upstate KIDS Study maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) was obtained from vital records and paternal BMI from maternal report. Biomarkers were measured from newborn dried blood spots (DBS) among neonates whose parents provided consent. Inflammatory scores were calculated by assigning one point for each of 5 pro-inflammatory biomarkers above the median and one point for an anti-inflammatory cytokine below the median. Linear regression models and generalized estimating equations were used to estimate mean differences (β) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in the inflammatory score and Ig levels by parental overweight/obesity status compared to normal weight. Results Among 2974 pregnancies, 51% were complicated by excessive maternal weight (BMI>25), 73% by excessive paternal weight, and 28% by excessive gestational weight gain. Maternal BMI categories of overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9) and obese class II/III (BMI≥35) were associated with increased neonatal inflammation scores (β=0.12, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.21; p=0.02, and β=0.13, CI: −0.002, 0.26; p=0.05, respectively) but no increase was observed in the obese class I group (BMI 30-34.9). Mothers with class I and class II/III obesity had newborns with increased IgM levels (β=0.11, CI: 0.04, 0.17; p=0.001 and β=0.12, CI: 0.05, 0.19); p<0.001, respectively). Paternal groups of overweight, obese class I and obese class II/III had decreased neonatal IgM levels (β=−0.08, CI: −0.13,-0.03, p=0.001; β=−0.07, CI: −0.13, −0.01, p=0.029 and β=−0.11, CI:−0.19,-0.04, p=0.003, respectively). Conclusions Excessive maternal weight was generally associated with increased inflammation and IgM supporting previous observations of maternal obesity and immune dysregulation in offspring. The role of paternal obesity requires further study.

Obesity of Sows at Late Pregnancy Aggravates Metabolic Disorder of Perinatal Sows and Affects Performance and Intestinal Health of Piglets

“…The effect of maternal obesity on intestinal barrier function and immune system of suckling piglets has not been reported before. In this study, we found that excessive backfat thickness in sows during late pregnancy exacerbated intestinal inflammation (fecal levels of TNF-α were increased but IL-10 were decreased) in offspring piglets and reduced the circulatory immune defense capacity of piglets, which was consistent with reports in humans and rodents [14,16,33]. Wilson et al [16] showed that obesity-induced metabolic disorders during pregnancy not only caused the occurrence of systemic inflammation in the offspring, but also hindered the maturation of the immune system.…”

Concentrations of immune marker in newborn dried blood spots and early childhood development: Results from the Upstate KIDS Study

“…We have previously shown that maternal BMI is associated with increased inflammation and separately, that maternal obesity is associated with higher odds of failing gross motor development. 29,30 While studies on neonatal samples universally consider gestational age at birth as a confounder, 31 We found that neonates with higher levels of PAI-1, PDGF-AA, SDF-1, and MIP-1β were less likely to fail a developmental screening. PDFG-AA is a protein crucial for the myelination process in the central nervous system because of its key signalling role for regulation of differentiation of oligodendrocyte.…”

“…Adjusted models with ASQ and developmental service use revealed that most of these associations were explained by confounding. We have previously shown that maternal BMI is associated with increased inflammation and separately, that maternal obesity is associated with higher odds of failing gross motor development . While studies on neonatal samples universally consider gestational age at birth as a confounder, information on socio‐economic characteristics and maternal health‐related factors such as BMI are not available in many studies.…”

Interferon epsilon in the reproductive tract of healthy and genital herpes simplex virus‐infected pregnant women: Results of a pilot study

“…There is an association between BMI and increases in circulating levels of cytokines during pregnancy that can disrupt actions of reproductive hormones. 27,28 However, as human studies are limited, it is unknown if maternal characteristics influence expression of IFNe in the genital tract. Type 1 IFN-tau (ruminants) is the pregnancy recognition signal required for establishing and maintaining pregnancy.…”