Babies Born to Healthy and Educated Mothers are Similar in Body Size: Study

Children born to healthy and well-nourished women living across the globe are similar in size, finds a new study.

It is known that height, weight and body structure of humans vastly vary because of genetic factors, dietary habits and external environmental conditions. A recent research by the Oxford University in the U.K. found startling similarity in sizes of babies born to mothers' who were well-educated, healthy and ate nutritious food during pregnancy.  

For the trial experts looked at 60,000 pregnancies in countries like Brazil, China, India, Italy, Kenya, Oman, the U.K and U.S. Using ultrasound scans, they monitored fetal growth inside the womb, the length and circumference of head and skeletal development to see if  mother's health, education and nutritional status had a direct influence on babies' health.            

The analysis revealed babies of healthy mothers did not suffer from any birth disorders or deformity and had identical body size. These children were less likely to develop diseases and chronic health conditions unlike children born to undernourished mothers.

"Currently we are not all equal at birth. But we can be," said Jose Villar, study author and researcher at the Nuffield Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Oxford,in a news release.

 "We can create a similar start for all by making sure mothers are well educated and nourished, by treating infection and by providing adequate antenatal care," he adds.

Past clinical trials hold that mothers' vitamin deficiency, poor eating habits and illnesses during pregnancy like high blood pressure and gestational diabetes are risk factors for obesity, diabetes, memory loss, heart defects and periodontal diseases in children. According to the study reports, 32.4 million babies were born in under-developed and low-income countries during 2010. These babies have increased susceptibility for infections and diseases, which can transform into countries' financial burden and expenditure on healthcare.

So far, there are no international standard measurements to evaluate the growth status of fetus and new born children.  These measurements vary for different countries that rely on 100 different growth charts. Therefore, the study aims to develop a new method to evaluate growth and health standards from birth till children are five years of age.

The research was funded by the Bills and Melinda Gates Foundation. More information is available online in the journal of the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.