Landmark Study: Largest-ever genetic study on birth weight reveals 190 new links between genes and birth weight in babies.
Collaborative Effort: Led by universities of Exeter, Queensland, Oxford, and Cambridge, involving 230,069 mothers and 321,223 individuals.
Mother vs. Baby Genetics: New statistical methods separate mother's and baby's genetic effects on birth weight, uncovering their complex interplay.
Health Implications: Small or large birth weight correlates with higher risk of birth complications and later-life metabolic diseases.
Genetic Contributions: Baby's genes directly affect birth weight, while a quarter of identified genetic effects come from the mother's genes, influencing the womb environment.
Maternal Influence: Mother's genes affect the womb environment, influencing factors like glucose levels, impacting the baby's growth.
Complex Relationships: Some genetic variations push birth weight in the same direction for mother and baby, while others have opposing effects, akin to a "tug of war."
Future Implications: Insights can help ensure healthier birth weights and understand later-life health outcomes, highlighting the importance of international research collaborations.