title: Fetal first trimester growth is not associated with kidney outcomes in childhood.
abstract: Impaired fetal growth is associated with increased risks of kidney diseases in later life. Because human development rates are highest during the first trimester, this trimester may be a particularly critical period for kidney outcomes. We have therefore examined the association of fetal first trimester growth with kidney outcomes in childhood.
  
  
  
  This study was embedded in a prospective population-based cohort study among 1176 pregnant women and their children. We used fetal first trimester crown-length as the growth measure among mothers with a regular menstrual cycle and a known first day of the last menstrual period. At the childhood age of 6 (median 5.7-6.8) years, we measured combined kidney volume, microalbuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on serum creatinine and cystatin C concentrations.
  
  
  
  No consistent associations of fetal first trimester crown-rump length with childhood combined kidney volume, eGFR and microalbuminuria were observed. Compared to children with a fetal first trimester crown-rump length in the highest quintile, those in the lowest quintile had a larger childhood combined kidney volume (difference 5.32 cm3, 95 % confidence interval 1.06 to 9.57), but no differences in kidney function.
  
  
  
  Our results do not support the hypothesis that fetal first trimester growth restriction affects kidney size and function in childhood. Further studies are needed to focus on critical periods in early life for kidney function and disease in later life.
authors: The Generation R Study Group (Na-29-15), Erasmus University Medical Center, Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.|Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.|Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Hanneke
authors: H
authors: Bakker
authors: The Generation R Study Group (Na-29-15), Erasmus University Medical Center, Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.|Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.|Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Romy
authors: R
authors: Gaillard
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.|Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Albert
authors: A
authors: Hofman
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Irwin K
authors: IK
authors: Reiss
authors: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Eric A P
authors: EA
authors: Steegers
authors: The Generation R Study Group (Na-29-15), Erasmus University Medical Center, Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. v.jaddoe@erasmusmc.nl.|Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. v.jaddoe@erasmusmc.nl.|Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. v.jaddoe@erasmusmc.nl.
authors: Vincent W V
authors: VW
authors: Jaddoe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000652:urine; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000473:pathology; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007668:Kidney / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Childhood; Crown–rump length; Fetal development; Kidney function; Kidney volume