Sex-specific effects of maternal anthropometrics on body composition at birth

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess whether maternal factors that are associated with fetal lean and fat mass differ between sexes. Study Design Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort that delivered by scheduled cesarean section from 2004-2013. Maternal blood was collected before surgery for metabolic parameters. Placental weight and neonatal anthropometrics were measured within 48 hours. Anthropometric differences between sexes were assessed with the Student t test. Multiple stepwise regression analysis assessed the relationship between independent maternal variables and neonatal lean body mass (LBM), fat mass (FM), or percentage of fat as dependent variables in male and female infants combined and separately. Results We analyzed 360 women with normal glucose tolerance and a wide range of pregravid body mass index (16-64 kg/m 2 ) and their offspring (male, 194; female, 166). Male infants had more FM (mean difference, 40 ± 18 g; P  = .03) and LBM (mean difference, 158 ± 34 g; P Conclusion Our findings suggest that the body composition and inflammatory environment of the mother modulate the metabolic fitness of neonates, as predicted by fat and lean mass, in a sex-specific manner.