The proteome of newborns with maternal obesity

Hagen, Nadja van (2025): The proteome of newborns with maternal obesity. Dissertation, LMU München: Medizinische Fakultät

Abstract

Background The prevalence of overweight including obesity has been growing rapidly over the past years. Changes in the intrauterine environment due to maternal overweight incl. obesity impact health after birth. Leading specifically to child- and adulthood obesity and a higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In this study, we compared the proteome of full-term newborns with maternal overweight and obesity during pregnancy, with the proteome of newborns with normal maternal weight using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We aimed to identify affected proteins and differently regulated signaling pathways caused by the different intrauterine environment of mothers with overweight and obesity. We aimed to provide a different perspective and potentially new target for prevention programs. Material and Methods Between February 2017 and June 2019, we included 15 newborns with maternal obesity, defined as a maternal BMI > 30 m2/kg at the beginning of pregnancy and 344 newborns with maternal BMI < 25 m2/kg. Medical history and anthropometric data were taken from the maternal medical records as well as from a questionnaire. The blood sample was collected on a dried blood spot card and the proteomic analysis was performed by Mass Spectrometry at the Max Planck Institute. Afterwards, the proteomic and descriptive patient data were statistically analyzed. Results Analysis of the proteomic data showed a notably higher abundance of ribosomal protein S21 and Kallistatin in newborns with maternal obesity. Contrarily, Prostaglandin E2 receptor EP3 was less abundant in newborns with maternal obesity compared to newborns with normal maternal weight. Conclusions Based on this study we propose that maternal obesity during pregnancy may cause changes in certain protein levels in the newborn. Since our initial results did not hold up after FDR correction, presumably due to the small sample size, further research with a larger sample size is necessary. Additionally, a follow-up study would be interesting to see if the changes in the newborn persist maybe even up until adulthood.

• Dokumententyp: Dissertationen (Dissertation, LMU München)
• Keywords: Proteomics, maternal obesity, childhood obesity, metabolics, mass spectrometry, perinatal, pregnancy, neonatal
• Themengebiete: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften ; 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
• Fakultäten: Medizinische Fakultät
• Sprache der Hochschulschrift: Englisch
• Datum der mündlichen Prüfung: 30. Juli 2025
• 1. Bericht­erstatter:in: Genzel-Boroviczény, Orsolya