title: Maternal factors associated with fetal growth and birthweight are independent determinants of placental weight and exhibit differential effects by fetal sex.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maternal nutritional and metabolic factors influence the developmental environment of the fetus. Virtually any nutritional factor in the maternal blood has to pass the placental membranes to reach the fetal blood. Placental weight is a commonly used measure to summarize placental growth and function. Placental weight is an independent determinant of fetal growth and birthweight and modifies the associations between maternal metabolic factors and fetal growth. We hypothesized that maternal factors known to be related to fetal growth, newborn size and body composition are determinants of placental weight and that effects of maternal metabolic factors on placental weight differ between the genders.
  
  
  METHODS
  The STORK study is a prospective longitudinal study including 1031 healthy pregnant women of Scandinavian heritage with singleton pregnancies. Maternal determinants (parity, body mass index, gestational weight gain and fasting plasma glucose) of placental weight were explored by linear regression models, stratified by fetal sex.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parity, maternal BMI, gestational weight gain and fasting glucose had positive effects on placental weight. There was a sex specific effect in these associations. Fasting glucose was significantly associated with placental weight in females but not in males.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal factors known to influence fetal growth, birthweight and neonatal body composition are determinants of placental weight. The effect of maternal factors on placental weight is influenced by sex as illustrated in the relation between maternal glucose and placental weight.
authors: Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Marie Cecilie Paasche
authors: MC
authors: Roland
authors: Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Camilla M
authors: CM
authors: Friis
authors: Department of Specialized Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Kristin
authors: K
authors: Godang
authors: Department of Specialized Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway ; University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Bollerslev
authors: Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway ; University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Guttorm
authors: G
authors: Haugen
authors: Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway ; University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Tore
authors: T
authors: Henriksen
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009929:Organ Size; D010920:Placenta / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D015430:Weight Gain