Abstract
This study seeks to explore the association between maternal prepregnancy excessive weight and metabolic changes in glucose and lipids during early gestation, with a particular focus on its implications for neonatal metabolic health. The results aim to support the development of evidence-based strategies that enhance maternal metabolic health before conception, ultimately promoting better neonatal outcomes. This study included 1467 women of reproductive age who were registered in a community in Huangpu District, Shanghai, between 2017 and 2021. Based on their prepregnancy body mass index, participants were classified into an overweight/obese group and a normal-weight group. The study compared neonatal metabolic indicators from offspring delivered by the 2 maternal groups, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose, leptin, fasting insulin, and the insulin resistance index, to evaluate the potential impact of maternal prepregnancy weight status on neonatal metabolic health. Newborns delivered by mothers in the overweight/obese group exhibited significantly higher levels of leptin, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting insulin, fasting blood glucose, and insulin resistance index. In comparison, levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly lower compared to those born to mothers in the normal-weight group (P < .05). Preconception overweight and obesity are closely associated with neonatal glucose and lipid metabolism. Implementing effective weight management strategies before pregnancy is essential for optimizing neonatal metabolic health.