Maternal clinical characteristics and their influence on newborn telomere length and immune senescence

Abstract

Abstract Background Maternal clinical characteristics studies and the potential outcome of pregnancy depict a strong influence on newborn telomere genetics and the immune system. This study aims to evaluate the association between maternal clinical and anthropometric factors with newborn telomere length (TL) and immune senescence. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study recruited 204 mother–newborn dyads from Ziauddin Hospitals after taking the informed consent. Blood was collected following delivery from mothers and the cord while it was still attached. Demographic, anthropometric and clinical data were recorded on structured questionnaires from mothers or medical records. The relative TL was quantified by QPCR and immune senescence markers (CD57, KLRG1) by flow cytometry. For statistical analysis, a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results The maternal clinical characteristics showed significant associations with newborn TL. Newborn TL varied across BMI groups, with longer TL (2.67 + 1.46) ( p = 0.048), observed in the 25-29.9 group, and the expression of CD67 and KLRG1 (8.31 ± 4.57) was found to be highest in obese mothers ( p = 0.002). Increasing maternal hemoglobin (Hb) levels were associated with newborn TL, showing longer TL (2.53 ± 1.70) ( p = 0.041) in mothers with Hb > 12 g/dl and single parity (2.50 ± 2.75) ( p = 0.025). Newborn gender was also found to influence TL length, girls had significantly longer TL (2.45 ± 1.46) but decreased CD57, KLRG1 (6.76 ± 4.45) difference was statistically significant ( p = 0.017). Conclusions Maternal BMI, hemoglobin levels, and parity reflect a dynamic interaction that significantly influences newborn telomere length and immune senescence. Male newborns exhibited higher immune senescence marker expression, indicating sex-specific differences during early biological aging.