NIH

Excess weight gain in first trimester linked to fetal fat accumulation

January 22, 2025

Excessive weight gain in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with increased fetal fat accumulation, according to a new NIH study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development conducted the study involving >2,600 singleton pregnancies, using 3D ultrasound scans to measure fetal body composition and tracking maternal weight gain throughout pregnancy. Pregnant individuals who gained >2 kg (about 4.4 lbs) in the first trimester had fetuses with larger abdominal circumference and arm fat thickness compared with those with adequate weight gain. Notably, these differences persisted even if weight gain normalized in later trimesters. The findings underscore the importance of managing weight gain early in pregnancy, as excessive weight gain during this critical period may lead to increased fetal fat accumulation. This, in turn, could elevate the risk of obesity and related conditions such as heart disease and diabetes later in life.

Source:

(2025, January 17). NIH. Excess weight gain in first trimester associated with fetal fat accumulation. [News release]. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/excess-weight-gain-first-trimester-associated-fetal-fat-accumulation