GENETICS OF FETAL GROWTH AND RELATED TRAITS IN MULTI-ETHNIC US POPULATIONS

胎儿生长性状如出生体重、胎儿身长、体重指数和头围与短期结局如围产期发病率/死亡率和长期不良健康结局（包括肥胖、糖尿病、心血管和并发症）显著相关。 遗传和非遗传因素都会影响胎儿的生长。 对影响胎儿生长的遗传和环境因素的清楚了解将有助于深入了解胎儿生长与晚年慢性疾病之间联系的机制，并可以指出早期干预目标。 Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development（NICHD）胎儿生长研究发现，美国四个种族的胎儿生长存在显著差异。 其他研究表明，低出生体重和皮褶厚度的比率存在种族差异。 这些种族差异的基础尚不清楚。 因此，研究胎儿生长的决定因素以及遗传和环境因素之间的相互作用的遗传方法对于阐明骨骼生长，出生体重和成人慢性疾病之间联系的潜在机制，以及获得对个体和种族（如非洲裔美国人和西班牙裔）之间胎儿生长差异的遗传贡献的新见解至关重要

Fetal growth traits such as birth weight, fetal length, ponderal index and head circumference are significantly associated with short-term outcomes such as perinatal morbidity/mortality and long-term adverse health outcomes including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular and complications. Both genetic and non-genetic factors influence fetal growth. A clear understanding of the genetics and environmental factors that influence fetal growth will give insights into mechanisms underlying the associations between fetal growth and chronic disease in later life, and can point to early intervention targets. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Fetal Growth Studies found significant differences in fetal growth among four US ethnic groups. Other studies showed ethnic differences in rates of low birth weight and skinfold thickness. The basis for these ethnic differences is not clear. Therefore, a genetic approach to study the determinants of fetal growth and interactions between genetic and environmental factors is critical for elucidating mechanisms underlying the links between skeletal growth, birth weight and adult chronic diseases, and to gain new insights into genetic contributions to fetal growth differences among individuals and ethnicities, such as African American and Hispanic