Maternal plasma choline and betaine in late pregnancy and child growth up to age 8 years in the KOALA Birth Cohort Study

C. Molto-Puigmarti*, R. Obeid, M. Mommers, S.J.P.M. Eussen, C. Thijs

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Sufficient choline and betaine during pregnancy are needed for fetal growth and development.Objectives: We aimed to investigate the associations between maternal plasma choline and betaine in the third trimester of pregnancy and child growth from birth up to 8 years of age.Methods: Concentrations of choline and betaine were measured in plasma of 1331 pregnant women from the KOALA (Kind. Ouders en gezondheid: Aandacht voor Leefstijl en Aanleg) Birth Cohort Study in the Netherlands. Child weight and height were measured at birth and at 1 (91% complete), 2 (86%), and 6-8 y (76%). Birth weight. weight gain in the first year, and z scores for weight and height at 1 and 2 y were used as continuous outcome variables. BMI z scores at 1 and 2 y were used as continuous and dichotomous outcomes, and BMI z scores at age 6-8 y were used to study overweight at that age.Results: Each 1-mu mol/L increase of maternal plasma choline was associated with a mean 20-g (95% CI: 1.1, 38.0 g) higher weight gain in the first year of life, and a higher BMI z score (beta: 0.02; 95% CI: 0.00, 0.04) and slightly higher odds of BMI z score >85th percentile (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.10) at 1-2 y. Each 1-mu mol/L increase of plasma betaine was associated with a mean 12-g (95% CI: 0.8, 23.9 g) higher weight gain in the first year of life and higher odds of BMI z score >85th percentile at 1-2 y (OR: 1.03: 95% Cl: 1.00, 1.07). Lastly, betaine was associated with overweight at 6-8 y (OR: 1.17: 95% CI: 1.02, 1.34). only in boys.Conclusions: Third-trimester pregnancy plasma choline and betaine were positively associated with childhood anthropometric measures. In boys, some of the associations may have persisted up to 8 y of age. Further studies may investigate the validity of maternal plasma choline and betaine concentrations as markers of maternal intake and fetal transfer.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1438-1446
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume114
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2021

Keywords

  • betaine
  • choline
  • pregnancy
  • one-carbon metabolism
  • birth weight
  • infant growth
  • overweight
  • fetal programming
  • PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE
  • ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT
  • FETAL
  • DIMETHYLGLYCINE
  • HOMOCYSTEINE
  • SUPPLEMENTATION
  • METABOLISM
  • DILUTION

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