Metallomic profiles of pregnant women living with obesity in the UK: a secondary analysis of UPBEAT

Characterization of serum metal element concentrations in pregnancy enables the elucidation of relationships with maternal-fetal and neonatal health. Metal elements in the blood serve as essential cofactors for enzymatic reactions and contribute to blood gas homeostasis, hormone synthesis, and physiological immune function for mother and fetus. Sub-optimal concentrations of some metals have been linked to adverse outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and impaired neurodevelopment. Maternal obesity also adversely influences metabolic status, including metal metabolism, with the potential for a heightened risk of complications at delivery and long-term health issues in offspring. Research on metal element levels in pregnant women with obesity and their effects on pregnancy outcomes is however limited. This study aims to characterize mid-gestation serum concentrations of 18 metal elements in samples from 755 pregnant women with obesity enrolled in the UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial (UPBEAT) and identify associations with pregnancy outcomes. We found that calcium concentration tended to decrease with increasing parity, with an estimated reduction of 6.03 mg/L in multiparous participants compared to nulliparous participants (95% CI: -9.50 to -2.57 mg/L, P = 0.001). Additionally, elevated manganese concentrations at mid-pregnancy were associated with an increased incidence of antepartum haemorrhage after 34 weeks (OR: 4.62, 95% CI: 2.06-12.4, P < 0.001), and higher maternal phosphorus levels were linked to neonatal intensive care unit admissions (OR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.75-4.67, P < 0.001). A future focus on dysregulation of these metal elements is needed to improve understanding of the clinical associations observed.