Genetic Evidence for Causal Relationships Between Maternal Obesity-Related Traits and Birth Weight.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Neonates born to overweight or obese women are larger and at higher risk of birth complications. Many maternal obesity-related traits are observationally associated with birth weight, but the causal nature of these associations is uncertain.

Objective

To test for genetic evidence of causal associations of maternal body mass index (BMI) and related traits with birth weight.

Design, setting, and participants

Mendelian randomization to test whether maternal BMI and obesity-related traits are potentially causally related to offspring birth weight. Data from 30,487 women in 18 studies were analyzed. Participants were of European ancestry from population- or community-based studies in Europe, North America, or Australia and were part of the Early Growth Genetics

SUBMITTER: Tyrrell J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4811305 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature