Relation of Birthweight and Ovarian and Uterine Size Prior to Menarche
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REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY: ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Relation of Birthweight and Ovarian and Uterine Size Prior to Menarche Nadia Parisi 1 & Alice Tassi 1
&
Valentina Capodicasa 1 & Anjeza Xholli 2 & Angelo Cagnacci 2,3
Received: 30 April 2020 / Accepted: 5 October 2020 # The Author(s) 2020
Abstract During pregnancy, supply of nutrients and exposure of the mother to environmental factors can influence fetus phenotype, possibly modifying growth of fetal tissues and organs. Few studies inconsistently reported that fetuses exposed to an insufficient energy supply, as those born small for gestational age, may have a reduced volume of uterus and ovaries. A retrospective analysis was performed on ultrasound data performed between 2012 and 2018 in 69 young premenarchal girls, 5 to 9 years of age, attending our endocrine–gynecologic clinic for a suspect of early puberty. Length of pregnancy and birthweight was also retrieved. When corrected for age, and presence of ovarian follicles, ovarian volume was positively (R2 = 0.210; p = 0.001) related to percentiles of birthweight (beta coefficient 0.012; 95% CI, 0.002–0.021). Similarly, uterine volume was positively (R2 = 0.237; p = 0.005) related to percentiles of birthweight (beta coefficient 0.067; 95% CI, 0.021–0.114). Ovarian (p = 0.034) and uterine (p = 0.014) volume was higher in the upper 3rd distribution of birthweight percentiles. In conclusion, development of ovarian and uterine volume increases progressively with the increase of birthweight percentiles. The data indicate an association between birthweight and the volume of uterus and ovary at 5–9 years of age. Keywords Birthweight . Fetal growth . Uterus . Ovary . Reproduction . Small for gestational age
Background Pregnancy is a critical period for fetal phenotype characterization. Life in utero can permanently change body’s structure, function, and metabolism. Clear associations were observed between a low birthweight and cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and other sicknesses of adulthood [1]. Functional consequences on reproduction were also suggested. Fetuses born small for gestational age
Nadia Parisi and Alice Tassi contributed equally to this work. * Angelo Cagnacci [email protected] 1
Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale “Santa Maria Della Misericordia”, University Hospital of Udine, Udine, Italy
2
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy
3
Università degli Studi di Genova, Genoa, Italy
(SGA) had more elevated levels of gonadotrophins and insulin [2], an earlier menarche [3–6], reduced reproductive capacity [7], and a lower rate of polycystic ovary morphology in post-precocious pubarche women [8]. Growth and development of internal organs are influenced by intrauterine fetal growth. For example, in comparison with normal weight, SGA newborns have a reduced number of nephrons [9]. Internal genitalia share with kidneys the same embryological origin, but whether their development is conditioned by in
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