First-trimester fetal growth foretells birthweight

Article

S

Fetal growth in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is strongly associated with birthweight for two reasons, according to the findings of a prospective cohort study involving approximately 38,000 pregnancies. The first is the effect that first-trimester size has on the duration of pregnancy, and the second is the effect it has on fetal growth in the second and third trimesters.

The authors of the study also determined that an inverse relationship exists between first-trimester growth and the risk for delivering a small-for-gestational-age infant.

The study underscores that so much about a pregnancy is determined at its earliest stages, often before even the first prenatal physician visit.

Recent Videos
Mitchell Creinin, MD, reports estetrol pill eases menstrual symptoms | Image Credit: health.ucdavis.edu
1 expert is featured in this series.
Susanna Mitro, PhD, reveals ethnic disparities in uterine fibroid diagnosis | Image Credit: divisionofresearch.kaiserpermanente.org.
Shayna Mancuso, DO, highlights the real impact of menopause | Image Credit: linkedin.com.
Jihong Liu, ScD, explains how to improve perinatal outcomes in COVID patients | Image Credit: sc.edu.
1 expert is featured in this series.
Jihong Liu, ScD, highlights adverse perinatal outcomes linked to the COVID pandemic | Image Credit: sc.edu.
Experts highlight infant health benefits from minor diet changes in pregnancy | Image Credit: ohsu.edu.
Connie Stark, RNC, PNC, provides fertility preservation insights for endometriosis patients | Image Credit: linkedin.com.
How the impact of maternal diet on infant health is strengthened in late pregnancy | Image Credit: ohsu.edu.
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.