Maternal Adherence to Healthy Dietary Patterns During Pregnancy and Gestational Weight Gain.

: Suboptimal gestational weight gain (GWG) has been linked to increased risks of adverse maternal outcomes. Evidence linking diet in pregnancy to GWG remains limited. We assessed relationships between adherence to five dietary patterns (Planetary Health Diet [PHD], Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension [DASH], Alternate Mediterranean Diet [AMED], Healthy Eating Index [HEI], and Alternate Healthy Eating Index [AHEI]) and 2009 Institute of Medicine GWG categories.

Fetal body composition and organ growth in pregnancies complicated by first trimester vaginal bleeding status: NICHD Fetal 3D Study.

Objective: To explore associations between self-reported first trimester vaginal bleeding status and fetal body composition and organ volumes measured by 3-Dimensional (3D) ultrasound across pregnancy.

Study Design: The NICHD Fetal 3D Study (2015-2019) included individuals with singleton pregnancies at low risk for fetal growth abnormalities (n=2,634). Fetal body composition measures of arm, abdomen, and thigh, and organ volumes including cerebellum, lung, kidney, and liver, were measured up to five times between 15-40 weeks using 3D ultrasound.

Growth Velocity and Sonographic Estimation of Birth Weight Among Low-Risk Pregnancies.

This study aimed to examine whether the addition of fetal growth velocities, based on serial scans, compared with estimated fetal weight (EFW) alone, improves the prediction accuracy of birth weight (BW).From the prospective National Institute for Child Health and Human Development Fetal Growth Studies, Singletons (2009-2013) that recruited women at low-risk for aberrant fetal growth, we included 2,397 participants with two to five ultrasounds between 15 and 41 weeks. Fetal growth velocity () was calculated between successive visits.

Early prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus based on systematically selected multi-panel biomarkers and clinical accessibility-a longitudinal study of a multi-racial pregnant cohort.

Background: Early identification of high-risk women is critical for preventing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We aimed to improve early prediction of GDM using multiple panels of cardiometabolic biomarkers assessed in early and mid-pregnancy, considering clinical accessibility.

Methods: In a US study of 2802 pregnant individuals, we assessed 91 cardiometabolic biomarkers at 10-14 (random blood) and 15-26 (fasting) gestational weeks (GW) in 107 GDM cases and 214 controls.

Longitudinal plasma amino acids during pregnancy and neonatal anthropometry: findings from the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies-Singleton Cohort.

Background: Amino acids (AAs) during pregnancy are crucial for fetal growth. Prior studies measured AA concentrations at single time points in pregnancy, despite their fluctuations throughout pregnancy. We measured plasma AA profiles in blood samples longitudinally collected from early through late pregnancy and evaluated their associations with neonatal anthropometry.

Fetal Body Composition and Organ Volume Trajectories in Association With Maternal Perceived Stress or Depressive Symptoms in the Fetal 3D Study.

Objectives: Evaluate associations between maternal perceived stress and depressive symptoms, and fetal body composition and organ volumes.

Methods: In the NICHD Fetal 3D Study (2015-2019; n = 2457), stress and depressive symptoms were assessed at enrollment (10-13 weeks). High stress was defined as a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score ≥15 and high depressive symptoms, defined as an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥10.

Longitudinal maternal glycemia during pregnancy and placental epigenetic age acceleration.

Background: Dysregulation of maternal glucose homeostasis has been related to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in mothers and fetuses, yet the mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated the association between maternal glycemic levels and placental epigenetic age acceleration (PAA) in a multiethnic cohort.

Methods: In a sample of 301 pregnant women (102 Hispanic, 77 White, 72 Black, and 50 Asian/Pacific Islander), the association of glycemic markers cumulative exposure with PAA was tested using linear regression adjusting for fetal sex, maternal age, educational status, and health insurance status.

Relationship between gestational weight gain with fetal body composition and organ volumes in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Fetal Dimensional Study: a prospective pregnancy cohort.

Background: Inadequate and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) are associated with increased risk of newborn small- and large-for-gestational-age, respectively, and future offspring adiposity. However, the relationship between GWG and three-dimensional (3D) measures of fetal body composition and organ volumes, which may provide greater insight into fetal growth via measurement of soft tissue, remains unknown.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between trimester-specific GWG and 3D fetal body composition and organ volume measurements.

Maternal Glycemic Status and Longitudinal Fetal Body Composition and Organ Volumes Based on Three-Dimensional Ultrasonography.

Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of fetal overgrowth as measured by two-dimensional ultrasonography. Whether fetal three-dimensional (3D) soft tissue and organ volumes provide additional insight into fetal overgrowth is unknown.

Research Design And Methods: We prospectively evaluated longitudinal 3D fetal body composition and organ volumes in a diverse U.

Fetal and Maternal Factors Predictive of Primary Cesarean Delivery at Term in a Low-Risk Population: NICHD Fetal Growth Studies-Singletons.

Objective:  This study aimed to examine associations of fetal biometric and amniotic fluid measures with intrapartum primary cesarean delivery (PCD) and develop prediction models for PCD based on ultrasound parameters and maternal factors.

Study Design:  Secondary analysis of the National Institute of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Fetal Growth Studies-singleton cohort (2009-2013) including patients with uncomplicated pregnancies and intent to deliver vaginally at ≥37 weeks. The estimated fetal weight, individual biometric parameters, fetal asymmetry measurements, and amniotic fluid single deepest vertical pocket assessed at the final scan (mean 37.

Healthy dietary patterns are associated with exposure to environmental chemicals in a pregnancy cohort.

Healthy dietary patterns, such as the alternate Mediterranean diet and alternate Healthy Eating Index, benefit cardiometabolic health. However, several food components of these dietary patterns are primary sources of environmental chemicals. Here, using data from a racially and ethnically diverse US cohort, we show that healthy dietary pattern scores were positively associated with plasma chemical exposure in pregnancy, particularly for the alternate Mediterranean diet and alternate Healthy Eating Index with polychlorinated biphenyls and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances.

Comparing Fetal Ultrasound Biometric Measurements to Neonatal Anthropometry at the Extremes of Birth Weight.

Objective:  Error in birthweight prediction by sonographic estimated fetal weight (EFW) has clinical implications, such as avoidable cesarean or misclassification of fetal risk in labor. We aimed to evaluate optimal timing of ultrasound and which fetal measurements contribute to error in fetal ultrasound estimations of birth size at the extremes of birthweight.

Study Design:  We compared differences in head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length, and EFW between ultrasound and corresponding birth measurements within 14 ( = 1,290) and 7 ( = 617) days of birth for small- (SGA, <10th percentile), appropriate- (AGA, 10th-90th), and large-for-gestational age (LGA, >90th) newborns.

The NICHD Fetal 3D Study: A Pregnancy Cohort Study of Fetal Body Composition and Volumes.

There's a paucity of robust normal fractional limb and organ volume standards from a large and diverse ethnic population. The Fetal 3D Study was designed to develop research and clinical applications for fetal soft tissue and organ volume assessment. The NICHD Fetal Growth Studies (2009-2013) collected 2D and 3D fetal volumes.

Nutritional Intake in Dichorionic Twin Pregnancies: A Descriptive Analysis of a Multisite United States Cohort.

Introduction: Twin gestations have greater nutritional demands than singleton gestations, yet dietary intakes of women with twin gestations have not been well described.

Methods: In a prospective, multi-site US study of 148 women with dichorionic twin gestations (2012-2013), we examined longitudinal changes in diet across pregnancy. Women completed a food frequency questionnaire during each trimester of pregnancy.

Leiomyomata, neonatal anthropometry, and pregnancy outcomes in singleton pregnancies.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship of fibroids in pregnancy, preterm birth, and neonatal anthropometry.

Methods: Pregnant women (n = 2578) in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Fetal Growth Studies-Singletons cohort had up to six ultrasounds across pregnancy. Sonographers recorded fibroid number and volume of the three largest fibroids.

Prenatal weight and regional body composition trajectories and neonatal body composition: The NICHD Foetal Growth Studies.

Background: Gestational weight gain (GWG) and anthropometric trajectories may affect foetal programming and are potentially modifiable.

Objectives: To assess concomitant patterns of change in weight, circumferences and adiposity across gestation as an integrated prenatal exposure, and determine how they relate to neonatal body composition.

Methods: Data are from a prospective cohort of singleton pregnancies (n = 2182) enrolled in United States perinatal centres, 2009-2013.

Risk of adverse neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with disabilities.

Background: To compare risk of neonatal morbidities between women with and without documented disability and to evaluate mediation of these associations by pre-term birth and caesarean delivery.

Methods: Using data from the Consortium on Safe Labor (2002-2008; n = 223 385), we evaluated risk of 22 neonatal outcomes among singleton deliveries using ICD-9 codes to define physical (n = 1733), sensory (n = 250) and intellectual disability (n = 91). Adjusted relative risk (aRR) was estimated for each outcome among each category of disability, and among women with any disability using Poisson regression models with robust variance.

Periconceptional and First Trimester Ultraprocessed Food Intake and Maternal Cardiometabolic Outcomes.

Objective: Ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) have been linked with obesity and cardiometabolic diseases in the general population but are understudied in pregnancy. We examined associations of UPF intake with gestational weight gain (GWG), glycemic, and blood pressure outcomes in pregnancy.

Research Design And Methods: Pregnant women (n = 1,948) in a prospective U.

Longitudinal Changes in Physical Activity during Pregnancy: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Fetal Growth Studies.

Introduction: Exercise in pregnancy is associated with many perinatal benefits, but patterns of home, work, and commuting activity are not well described. We investigated longitudinal activity in singleton and twin pregnancy by activity domain and maternal characteristics.

Methods: In the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Fetal Growth Studies cohorts, 2778 women with singleton and 169 women with twin gestations reported activity using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire at up to six or seven study visits, respectively.

Risk of Adverse Maternal Outcomes in Pregnant Women With Disabilities.

Importance: Women with disabilities have a higher risk of preterm birth, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery; however, their risk of other obstetric interventions, adverse maternal outcomes, and clinical indications for increased cesarean delivery is unclear.

Objective: To evaluate risk of a range of obstetric interventions and adverse maternal outcomes, including severe maternal morbidities (SMM) and mortality, among women with and without disabilities.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The Consortium on Safe Labor was a retrospective cohort that included comprehensive medical chart review for deliveries between January 2002 and January 2008.

Assessment of Caffeine Consumption and Maternal Cardiometabolic Pregnancy Complications.

Importance: Women are recommended to limit caffeine consumption to less than 200 mg per day based on risks to fetal health. Impacts of caffeine on maternal health remain unclear.

Objective: To determine whether caffeinated-beverage intake and plasma caffeine and paraxanthine are associated with cardiometabolic complications in pregnancy (ie, gestational diabetes [GDM], preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension [GH]).