MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Genetic and environmental factors affecting birth size variation: A pooled individual-based analysis of secular trends and global geographical differences using 26 twin cohorts

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2018

ISSN: 14643685

DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyy081

Abstract: Background The genetic architecture of birth size may differ geographically and over time. We examined differences in the genetic and environmental contributions to birthweight, length and ponderal index (PI) across geographical-cultural regions (Europe, North America and Australia, and East Asia) and across birth cohorts, and how gestational age modifies these effects. Methods Data from 26 twin cohorts in 16 countries including 57 613 monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs were pooled. Genetic and environmental variations of birth size were estimated using genetic structural equation modelling. Results The variance of birthweight and length was predominantly explained by shared environmental factors, whereas the variance of PI was explained both by shared and unique environmental factors. Genetic variance contributing to birth size was small. Adjusting for gestational age decreased the proportions of shared environmental variance and increased the propositions of unique environmental variance. Genetic variance was similar in the geographical-cultural regions, but shared environmental variance was smaller in East Asia than in Europe and North America and Australia. The total variance and shared environmental variance of birth length and PI were greater from the birth cohort 1990-99 onwards compared with the birth cohorts from 1970-79 to 1980-89. Conclusions The contribution of genetic factors to birth size is smaller than that of shared environmental factors, which is partly explained by gestational age. Shared environmental variances of birth length and PI were greater in the latest birth cohorts and differed also across geographical-cultural regions. Shared environmental factors are important when explaining differences in the variation of birth size globally and over time.

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Authors: Yokoyama, Yoshie; Jelenkovic, Aline; Hur, Yoon-Mi; Sund, Reijo; Fagnani, Corrado; Stazi, Maria A.; Brescianini, Sonia; Ji, Fuling; Ning, Feng; Pang, Zengchang; Knafo-Noam, Ariel; Mankuta, David; Abramson, Lior; Rebato, Esther; Hopper, John L.; Cutler, Tessa L.; Saudino, Kimberly J.; Nelson, Tracy L.; Whitfield, Keith E.; Corley, Robin P.; Huibregtse, Brooke M.; Derom, Catherine A.; Vlietinck, Robert F.; Loos, Ruth J.F.; Llewellyn, Clare H.; Fisher, Abigail; Bjerregaard-Andersen, Morten; Beck-Nielsen, Henning; Sodemann, Morten; Krueger, Robert F; McGue, Matthew; Pahlen, Shandell; Bartels, Meike; Van Beijsterveldt, Catharina E.M.; Willemsen, Gonneke; Harris, Jennifer R.; Brandt, Ingunn; Nilsen, Thomas S.; Craig, Jeffrey M.; Saffery, Richard; Dubois, Lise; Boivin, Michel; Brendgen, Mara; Dionne, Ginette; Vitaro, Frank; Haworth, Claire M.A.; Plomin, Robert; Bayasgalan, Gombojav; Narandalai, Danshiitsoodol; Rasmussen, Finn; Tynelius, Per; Tarnoki, Adam D; Tarnoki, David L; Ooki, Syuichi; Rose, Richard J.; Pietiläinen, Kirsi H.; Sørensen, Thorkild I.A.; Boomsma, Dorret I.; Kaprio, Jaakko; Silventoinen, Karri

Periodical (Full): International Journal of Epidemiology

Issue: 4

Volume: 47

Pages: 1195-1206

Countries:

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