Features of the Metabolomic Profile in Newborns with Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Aim. To analyze the clinical application of metabolomics in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), as well as to identify and discuss the most important metabolites and their clinical significance in intrauterine and postnatal growth disorders.

Key points. IUGR determines the health status not only in the neonatal period and early childhood, but also in subsequent life. IUGR is a consequence of various reasons related to maternal health, the influence of environmental factors, genetics, as well as the complications of pregnancy, including multiple pregnancies, placental disorders and anomalies of the umbilical cord. Changes in metabolic processes in the fetal body due to disturbances in intrauterine growth, as well as rational feeding in the neonatal period, largely determine the phenotype of the newborn and the trajectory of further development. Metabolomics, also called “new clinical biochemistry,” is an approach based on the systematic study of the complete set of metabolites in a biological sample. The metabolome reflects the characteristics of the phenotype and takes into account epigenetic differences.

Conclusion. Metabolomics is a relatively new technology, the results of its application in neonatology are few, and it is not yet possible to draw clear conclusions about the role of one or another metabolite in the diagnosis of diseases of the newborn. However, it is already obvious that the study of the metabolomic spectrum provides a theoretical basis for further research into the mechanisms underlying complications associated with IUGR, as well as treatment and prevention measures.

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