Maternal pre-conceptional underweight induces fetal growth restriction via placental DNA methylation alterations

An increasing number of individuals are striving for ideal body figures, and reproductive-aged females with a body mass index (BMI) less than 18.5kg/m2 account for a significant proportion. However, the effects of maternal pre-conceptional underweight on fetal growth remain poorly explored. Epigenetic modifications are crucial in regulating the expression of development-related genes in the placenta. This study aims to investigate the impact of maternal pre-conceptional underweight on fetal growth and the associated epigenetic mechanisms in the placenta.In conclusion, our findings illustrated that DNA methylation abnormality of the energy-related genes in the placenta represented a key mechanism between maternal pre-gestational exposure to underweight and fetal development, highlighting the importance of pre-conceptional interventions in reducing the effects of maternal unhealthy exposure on offspring health.