Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Distinction between the effects of parental and fetal genomes on fetal growth

Thorhildur Juliusdottir, Valgerður Steinthórsdóttir, Lilja Stefánsdóttir, Garðar Sveinbjörnsson, Erna V. Ivarsdottir, Rósa B. Þórólfsdóttir, Jon K. Sigurdsson, Vinicius Tragante, Kristján Eldjárn Hjörleifsson, Anna Helgadóttir, Michael L. Frigge, Guðmundur Þorgeirsson, Rafn Benediktsson, Emil L. Sigurdsson, Davíð O. Arnar, Þóra Steingrímsdóttir, Ingileif Jónsdóttir, Hilma Hólm, Daníel F. Guðbjartsson, Guðmar Þorleifsson, Unnur Þorsteinsdóttir, Kāri Stefánsson

Nature Genetics · 2021

Read source ↗ All evidence

Summary

This genome-wide association study investigated how parental and fetal genomes independently influence fetal growth, using Icelandic population data. The research distinguished between genetic effects transmitted through the maternal genome versus those acting through the fetal genome itself, contributing to understanding of the genetic architecture underlying intrauterine growth. The findings suggest that parental and fetal genetic contributions to fetal growth operate through distinct biological pathways.

Regional applicability

The findings from an Icelandic population may have limited direct application to UK clinical practice, though the methodological approach to partitioning parental versus fetal genetic effects could inform UK studies of maternal–fetal health. The results may be relevant to understanding genetic contributions to birth outcomes in populations of similar ancestry.

Key measures

Birth weight, fetal growth trajectories, genetic variants (SNPs), maternal and fetal genome-wide association signals

Outcomes reported

The study examined the distinct contributions of parental versus fetal genetic variants to fetal growth outcomes. It measured associations between genetic markers and birth weight and other fetal growth parameters.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Maternal, infant & child nutrition
Study type
Research
Study design
Observational cohort
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Iceland
System type
Human clinical
DOI
10.1038/s41588-021-00896-x
Catalogue ID
SNmoj1y44j-op3f6k

Topic tags

Pulse AI · ask about this record

Dig deeper with Pulse AI.

Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.