Pre-pregnancy cardiometabolic markers with early childhood weight –  A systematic review.

Dr. Gayathri Baluswami; Dr.Karthik  Shunmugavelu

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v4i12.2391

Authors

Dr. Gayathri Baluswamy1 MBBS MS OG MRCOG assistant professor Vels Medical College and hospital, Manjankaranai, Tamilnadu, India
Dr.Karthik Shunmugavelu BDS, MDS OMFP, MSC London, MFDSRCS England, MFDSRCPS Glasgow, faculty affiliate RCS Ireland, affiliate RCS Edinburgh, MCIP, Fibms Usa, Masid Australia, Assistant Professor, Department of Dentistry, PSP Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Tambaram, Kanchipuram main road, Oragadam Panruti Kanchipuram district Tamilnadu 631604

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v4i12.2391

Keywords:

High-risk pregnancy, Gestational diabetes, Cardiometabolic disorders, Cardiovascular disease, Gestational Hypertension, Inflammation

Abstract

Background
Pregnancy involves complex metabolic and cardiovascular adaptations that support fetal growth. Suboptimal cardiometabolic health before conception may predispose offspring to altered growth trajectories and increased risk of obesity in early childhood. With rising maternal age and increasing prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, understanding pre-pregnancy cardiometabolic markers has become essential for intergenerational health prevention.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the association between pre-pregnancy cardiometabolic markers and early childhood weight outcomes.

Methods
A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Electronic databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS, were searched for studies published between 2020 and 2024. Observational studies assessing pre-pregnancy cardiometabolic markers and offspring weight outcomes were included.

Results
Eight eligible studies were included. Across cohorts, elevated pre-pregnancy body mass index, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose metabolism, and hypertensive markers were consistently associated with higher birth weight, accelerated infant weight gain, and increased risk of overweight or obesity in early childhood. These associations persisted after adjustment for sociodemographic factors and, in several studies, were independent of genetic predisposition. Evidence also suggested that combined cardiometabolic risk factors exert stronger effects than isolated markers, supporting an intrauterine programming mechanism.

Conclusion
Pre-pregnancy cardiometabolic health is strongly associated with early childhood weight outcomes. The findings identify the pre-conception period as a critical window for intervention to reduce intergenerational cardiometabolic risk.

Future research

Prospective studies incorporating standardized biomarker panels, sex-specific offspring analyses, and long-term follow-up into adolescence are needed to strengthen causal inference.

Author Biographies

Dr. Gayathri Baluswamy1, MBBS MS OG MRCOG assistant professor Vels Medical College and hospital, Manjankaranai, Tamilnadu, India

MBBS, MS (Obstetrics and Gynaecology), MRCOG, is an Assistant Professor at Vels Medical College and Hospital, Manjankaranai, Tamil Nadu, India. Her academic and clinical interests focus on high-risk pregnancy, maternal health, and obstetric complications, with particular emphasis on cardiometabolic disorders and their impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes. She is actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education and clinical research.

Dr.Karthik Shunmugavelu, BDS, MDS OMFP, MSC London, MFDSRCS England, MFDSRCPS Glasgow, faculty affiliate RCS Ireland, affiliate RCS Edinburgh, MCIP, Fibms Usa, Masid Australia, Assistant Professor, Department of Dentistry, PSP Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Tambaram, Kanchipuram main road, Oragadam Panruti Kanchipuram district Tamilnadu 631604

BDS, MDS (Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology), MSc (London), MFDS RCS (England), MFDS RCPS (Glasgow), Faculty Affiliate RCS Ireland, Affiliate RCS Edinburgh, MCIP, FIBMS (USA), MASID (Australia), is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dentistry at PSP Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. His academic interests include oral pathology, systemic disease correlations, translational research, and evidence-based medicine. He is actively engaged in interdisciplinary research and scholarly publishing and serves as the corresponding author for this manuscript. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7562-8802

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