โก Quick Summary
This study utilized liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze 346 maternal urine samples throughout pregnancy, revealing significant changes in metabolites such as glucocorticoids, lipids, and amino acid derivatives. A novel machine learning model was developed to predict gestational age and time-to-delivery, offering a promising non-invasive tool for prenatal care.
๐ Key Details
- ๐ Dataset: 346 maternal urine samples from 36 women
- ๐งฌ Metabolites analyzed: Glucocorticoids, lipids, amino acid derivatives
- โ๏ธ Technology: Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
- ๐ Machine Learning Model: Developed for gestational age prediction
๐ Key Takeaways
- ๐ฌ Urine metabolomics provides insights into maternal metabolic changes during pregnancy.
- ๐ก Key metabolites identified include glucocorticoids, lipids, and amino acid derivatives.
- ๐ค Machine learning was successfully applied to predict gestational age and time-to-delivery.
- ๐ฑ Non-invasive methods can enhance prenatal care and delivery planning.
- ๐ Clinical potential of urine metabolomics in obstetric care is significant.
- ๐ Study conducted with a diverse group of women, enhancing the applicability of findings.
๐ Background
Pregnancy is a critical period that significantly influences both maternal and fetal health. Understanding the changes in maternal metabolism is essential for monitoring fetal growth and long-term development. While the maternal metabolome is known to undergo substantial changes during pregnancy, the longitudinal shifts in maternal urine have not been extensively studied until now.
๐๏ธ Study
This research involved the collection and analysis of 346 urine samples from 36 pregnant women at various stages of pregnancy. The study aimed to explore the metabolic changes in urine and develop a machine learning model to predict gestational age based on these metabolites. The use of untargeted metabolomics allowed for a comprehensive analysis of the urine metabolome.
๐ Results
The study identified significant changes in key metabolites, indicating systematic pathway alterations throughout pregnancy. The developed machine learning model demonstrated high accuracy in predicting gestational age and time-to-delivery, showcasing the potential of urine metabolomics as a reliable tool in obstetric care.
๐ Impact and Implications
The findings from this study could revolutionize prenatal care by providing a non-invasive method for gestational age prediction and delivery planning. The ability to monitor metabolic changes through urine analysis offers a complementary approach to traditional methods, potentially improving maternal and fetal health outcomes.
๐ฎ Conclusion
This study highlights the clinical potential of urine untargeted metabolomics in obstetric care. By leveraging machine learning and advanced metabolomic techniques, healthcare professionals can enhance prenatal monitoring and improve delivery outcomes. Continued research in this area is essential for further validating these findings and expanding their application in clinical settings.
๐ฌ Your comments
What are your thoughts on the use of urine metabolomics for predicting gestational age? We would love to hear your insights! ๐ฌ Join the conversation in the comments below or connect with us on social media:
Longitudinal urine metabolic profiling and gestational age prediction in human pregnancy.
Abstract
Pregnancy is a vital period affecting both maternal and fetal health, with impacts on maternal metabolism, fetal growth, and long-term development. While the maternal metabolome undergoes significant changes during pregnancy, longitudinal shifts in maternal urine have been largely unexplored. In this study, we applied liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics to analyze 346 maternal urine samples collected throughout pregnancy from 36 women with diverse backgrounds and clinical profiles. Key metabolite changes included glucocorticoids, lipids, and amino acid derivatives, indicating systematic pathway alterations. We also developed a machine learning model to accurately predict gestational age using urine metabolites, offering a non-invasive pregnancy dating method. Additionally, we demonstrated the ability of the urine metabolome to predict time-to-delivery, providing a complementary tool for prenatal care and delivery planning. This study highlights the clinical potential of urine untargeted metabolomics in obstetric care.
Author: [‘Shen X’, ‘Chen S’, ‘Liang L’, ‘Avina M’, ‘Zackriah H’, ‘Jelliffe-Pawlowski L’, ‘Rand L’, ‘Snyder MP’]
Journal: Brief Bioinform
Citation: Shen X, et al. Longitudinal urine metabolic profiling and gestational age prediction in human pregnancy. Longitudinal urine metabolic profiling and gestational age prediction in human pregnancy. 2024; 26:(unknown pages). doi: 10.1093/bib/bbaf059