Frontiers in pediatrics
Integrated multi-omics analysis to explore correlations among cord blood IGF-1 levels, metabolomic profiles, and meconium gut microbiota in small-for-gestational-age neonates
By Li Y, Wang H, Luo L and 4 others.
Abstract
Background
Small for gestational age (SGA) infants carry high risks of neonatal complications and lifelong metabolic disorders. This study explored correlations among cord blood IGF-1, cord blood metabolome, and meconium microbiota in SGA neonates to clarify the underlying pathophysiology.
Methods
We consecutively recruited 113 term newborns (53 SGA, 60 AGA) delivered at Hainan Women and Children's Medical Centre from June 2024 to March 2025. Cord blood IGF-1 was tested via chemiluminescence. UHPLC-MS/MS untargeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing were applied to characterize cord blood metabolites and meconium microbiota. Intergroup differences and partial Spearman correlations across IGF-1, metabolites, microbes and birth indices were analyzed, adjusting for gestational age, infant sex, and maternal delivery mode,where applicable.