Study gender of babies affects the risk of pregnancy complications

Gender of the child has an influence on the risk of pregnancy complications

For expectant parents, it is usually not so important whether they get a girl or a boy; they are simply looking forward to their offspring. However, the gender of the baby has apparently influence on the course of pregnancy, as shown in a British study now.

Gender of the baby has an influence on the metabolism of the mother

According to researchers from the University of Cambridge (UK), the gender of a baby affects the metabolism of the pregnant mother. This may explain why the risks of some diseases vary during pregnancy, depending on whether the mother carries a boy or a girl, the scientists explain in a statement from the university. The results of the study were recently published in the journal JCI Insight.

A study by British researchers has shown that the gender of a baby can affect the metabolism of the pregnant mother and the risk of pregnancy complications. (Image: nerudol / fotolia.com)

Different genetic profile of the placenta

Examinations of more than 4,000 first mothers showed that the genetic profile of the placenta was very different, depending on whether it was a female or a male baby.

One of the consequences of this was that spermine was formed in different amounts. According to the experts, this metabolic product plays an important role in cells and is also essential for the growth of some bacteria.

Female placentas had much higher levels of spermine-producing enzyme, and mothers who were pregnant with girls had higher spermine concentrations in the blood than women who were expecting a boy.

Risk of pregnancy complications

The researchers also found that the form of spermine, which was higher in mothers with a girl, could also predict the risk of pregnancy complications.

Accordingly, high scores were associated with an increased risk of pre-eclampsia (also known colloquially as pregnancy poisoning) associated with high blood pressure and kidney disease.

A low spermine level, on the other hand, was associated with the risk of growth retardation of the fetus.

According to the researchers, the observed patterns were consistent with previous work demonstrating that boys are more susceptible to the effects of fetal growth restriction and that pregnancy with a girl may increase the risk of severe pre-eclampsia.

New predictive tests

"In pregnancy and childbirth, the gender of the baby is the focus of many parents, but in the placenta, we do not think about gender," said study leader Professor Gordon Smith from Cambridge University.

"This work shows that the placenta differs strongly by gender," says the expert.

"These differences alter elements of the composition of the mother's blood and may even change her risk of pregnancy complications," explained Professor Smith.

"A better understanding of these differences could lead to new predictive tests and possibly even new approaches to reduce the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes." (Ad)