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CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Recording available 2/16-5/2
Recording available 2/16-5/2
AIUM Credit
AIUM Credit
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Foundation Awardee
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Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee

Poster Session 1

Category: Neonatology

Poster Session 1

(360) Association of High Allostatic Load in Early Pregnancy with Neonatal Weight and Body Composition

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM  
Objective:
Emerging evidence suggests that elevated maternal stress leads to higher fetal growth. These effects are thought to result from stress-related alterations in neuroendocrine, metabolic, and inflammatory pathways that increase nutrient transfer to the fetus, and potentially fat accrual. However, few studies have examined the association between maternal physiological stress and neonatal body composition.

Study Design:

This prospective cohort study included 43 low-risk pregnant individuals. First-trimester neuroendocrine, metabolic, and cardiovascular biomarkers associated with physiological stress were standardized using z-scores and summed to calculate a total allostatic load score. Scores at or above the 75th percentile defined high Allostatic Load in Early Pregnancy (ALEP). High and low ALEP scores were compared to neonatal outcomes including birthweight and body composition (fat and fat-free mass) measured via air displacement plethysmography (PeaPod). Group differences were assessed using t-tests or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables.

Results:

In the 43 pregnancies, 11 (26%) had high Allostatic Load in Early Pregnancy (ALEP). Neonates born to individuals with high ALEP had significantly higher mean birthweight compared to those with low ALEP (3524g vs. 3138g, p = 0.027). Peapod-derived measures showed a trend toward higher neonatal adiposity among the high ALEP group, including greater fat mass (p = 0.017) and overall body mass (p = 0.025), though differences in percent body fat and fat-free mass did not reach statistical significance. No significant differences were observed in gestational age or neonatal sex distribution between groups.

Conclusion:

Higher maternal allostatic load in early pregnancy was associated with greater birthweight and absolute neonatal fat mass in a diverse cohort of low-risk pregnancies. Given that neonatal adiposity is correlated with childhood obesity risk, further research is needed to understand how maternal physiological stress contributes to future cardiometabolic risk in offspring.