Article

The aim of this study was to investigate within a population-based cohort of
4384 infants (2182 males, 2202 females) whether fetal growth from early pregnancy
onwards is related to infant development and whether this potential relationship
is independent of postnatal growth. METHOD: Ultrasound measurements were
performed in early, mid-, and late pregnancy. Estimated fetal weight was
calculated using head and abdominal circumference and femur length. Infant
development was measured with the Minnesota Infant Development Inventory at 12
months (SD 1.1mo, range 10-17mo). Information on postnatal head size and body
weight at 7 months was obtained from medical records. RESULTS: After adjusting
for potential confounders and for postnatal growth, faster fetal weight gain from
mid- to late pregnancy predicted a reduced risk of delayed social development
(odds ratio [OR] 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71-0.95, p=0.008),
self-help abilities (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.73-0.98, p=0.023), and overall infant
development (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.49-0.87, p=0.003). Similar findings were observed
for fetal head growth from mid- to late pregnancy. INTERPRETATION: Faster fetal
growth predicts a lower risk of delayed infant development independent of
postnatal growth. These results suggest that reduced fetal growth between mid-
and late pregnancy may determine subsequent developmental outcomes.

Langue : ANGLAIS