Maternal physical activity and neonatal cord blood lipids : findings from a prospective pregnancy cohort

Background: Physical activity performed while pregnant is beneficially associated with maternal cardiovascular health. It is unknown if benefits extend to neonate cardiovascular health. This study investigated associations of maternal physical activity with neonatal cord blood lipid and lipoprotein concentrations. Methods: Cord blood lipids were measured at birth in a pseudo-randomly selected subgroup of Born in Bradford birth cohort participants (n=1634). Pregnant women were grouped into four activity categories (inactive / somewhat active / moderately active / active) based on their self-reported physical activity at 26-28 weeks gestation. Regression was used to calculate adjusted mean differences in neonate cord blood lipid concentrations between the four groups of physical activity. Results: Maternal physical activity was associated with higher neonatal cord blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). Cord blood HDL-c was higher in neonates of women who were somewhat and moderately active compared to neonates of women who were inactive. There were no associations of pregnancy physical activity with triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, or very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Conclusions: Maternal physical activity is favourably associated with neonatal cord blood HDL-c levels. This novel beneficial finding highlights the potential for physical activity in pregnancy to aid early prevention of cardiovascular disease.