An encyclopedia of the cord blood metabolome reveals maternal-fetal interactions and disease risk

Abstract

Metabolites present in the mother traverse the placenta to supply energy, essential nutrients, and communication signals to the fetus. To gain a deeper understanding of fetal metabolism and the impacts of maternal metabolic health and medications on the fetus, we have created CordDB. Using mass spectrometry, we systematically document the metabolites and medications that enter and leave the fetus during birth, as well as the associated health records of the mother and newborn. These data reveal the metabolites consumed by the fetus, microbial metabolites (e.g., 3-indolepropionic acid), metabolites obtained from diet, and medications, as well as create a healthy newborn signature. Our study demonstrates that the mother's microbial interactions and nutrition, premature birth, and the mother's use of drugs such as bupivacaine and betamethasone are linked to variations in the metabolic profiles and health of newborns.

Keywords: betamethasone; fatty acid; fetal metabolism; maternal metabolism; metabolomics; microbial metabolites; newborn health signature; taurine; umbilical cord.