Clinical Nutrition Open Science (Jun 2024)
Association between spexin, nutritional status of pregnant women with excessive gestational weight gain, and newborn weight: A cross-sectional study
Abstract
Summary: Introduction: Excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) is associated with adverse effects on the life of the mother and the neonate. Spexin (SPX) is considered as a new factor involved in glucose homeostasis, body weight and fat metabolism. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between blood SPX concentration and the nutritional status of mothers with EGWG, Apgar score and the weight of the neonates. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Zahedan, Iran in 2021. The study sample includes 30 pregnant mothers with normal weight gain and 30 pregnant mothers with EGWG. Demographic questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recall (24-hr) were completed. The mothers' weight was recorded, and the birth weight and Apgar scores of the neonates were measured. The concentration of SPX in the blood sample of the pregnant mother and the umbilical cord blood of the newborn at the time of delivery was measured by a SPX kit with the ELISA method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS; 21. P 0.05). Weight gain during pregnancy, energy, carbohydrate and protein intake in EGWG mothers were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). In mothers with normal weight gain, the serum spexin showed a significant negative correlation (r = −0.430) with 5-minute Apgar score. Conclusion: Based on the results, it can be concluded that there is a significant difference in the concentration of SPX between mothers and neonates in the group with normal weight gain compared to the EGWG group. This suggests that SPX may play a role in regulating weight gain during pregnancy. However, there was no significant difference in birth weight between the two groups, indicating that other factors may also contribute to birth weight. Additionally, mothers with EGWG had higher energy, carbohydrate, and protein intake compared to those with normal weight gain. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between serum SPX levels and 5-minute Apgar score in mothers with normal weight gain. This suggests that SPX may also have an impact on fetal well-being during pregnancy.
