Trial reportPloS one2012
Heritability estimates of body size in fetal life and early childhood.
Trial report in PloS one, 2012. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 30 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
30 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 59 citations in OpenAlex.
- Heritability of Psychological Traits and Developmental Milestones in Infancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.JAMA network open · 2022Pooled it
- Genetic meta-analysis of twin birth weight shows high genetic correlation with singleton birth weight.Human molecular genetics · 2021Pooled it
- Direct and indirect genetic effects of birthweight predisposition on child DNA methylation at birth.Epigenetics · 2026Article
- Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Child Height in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council · 2025Article
- Haplotype-based analysis distinguishes maternal-fetal genetic contribution to pregnancy-related outcomes.PLoS genetics · 2025Article
- Article
- Nonlinear Catch-Up Growth in Height, Weight, and Head Circumference from Birth to Adolescence: A Longitudinal Twin Study.Behavior genetics · 2023Article
- Maximizing the value of twin studies in health and behaviour.Nature human behaviour · 2023Review
- Intergenerational transmission of height in a historical population: From taller mothers to larger offspring at birth (and as adults).PNAS nexus · 2023Article
- Genetic and environmental factors influencing neonatal resting-state functional connectivity.Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) · 2023Article
- Nonlinear Catch-Up Growth in Height, Weight, and Head Circumference from Birth to Adolescence: A Longitudinal Twin Study.Research square · 2023Article
- Human height: a model common complex trait.Annals of human biology · 2023Review
- Estimating heritability of height without zygosity information for twins under five years in low- and middle-income countries: An application of normal finite mixture distribution models.SSM - population health · 2022Article
- Exploring the role of genetic confounding in the association between maternal and offspring body mass index: evidence from three birth cohorts.International journal of epidemiology · 2020Article
- Genome-wide association study reveals dynamic role of genetic variation in infant and early childhood growth.Nature communications · 2019Article
- Genetic insights into fetal growth and measures of glycaemic regulation and adiposity in adulthood: a family-based study.BMC medical genetics · 2018Article
- Genetic and environmental factors affecting birth size variation: a pooled individual-based analysis of secular trends and global geographical differences using 26 twin cohorts.International journal of epidemiology · 2018Article
- Male size, not female preferences influence female reproductive success in a poeciliid fish (Poecilia latipinna): a combined behavioural/genetic approach.BMC research notes · 2018Article
- Genetic and Environmental Influences on Fetal Growth Vary during Sensitive Periods in Pregnancy.Scientific reports · 2018Article
- Maternal pelvic dimensions and neonatal size: Implications for growth plasticity in early life as adaptation.Evolution, medicine, and public health · 2017Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors at 1 institution in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe objective was to estimate the heritability for height and weight during fetal life and early childhood in two independent studies, one including parent and singleton offsprings and one of mono- and dizygotic twins.
methodsThis study was embedded in the Generation R Study (n = 3407, singletons) and the Netherlands Twin Register (n = 33694, twins). For the heritability estimates in Generation R, regression models as proposed by Galton were used. In the Twin Register we used genetic structural equation modelling. Parental height and weight were measured and fetal growth characteristics (femur length and estimated fetal weight) were measured by ultrasounds in 2(nd) and 3(rd) trimester (Generation R only). Height and weight were assessed at multiple time-points from birth to 36 months in both studies.
resultsHeritability estimates for length increased from 2(nd) to 3(rd) trimester from 13% to 28%. At birth, heritability estimates for length in singletons and twins were both 26% and 27%, respectively, and at 36 months, the estimates for height were 63% and 72%, respectively. Heritability estimates for fetal weight increased from 2(nd) to 3(rd) trimester from 17% to 27%. For birth weight, heritability estimates were 26% in singletons and 29% in twins. At 36 months, the estimate for twins was 71% and higher than for singletons (42%).
conclusionsHeritability estimates for height and weight increase from second trimester to infancy. This increase in heritability is observed in singletons and twins. Longer follow-up studies are needed to examine how the heritability develops in later childhood and puberty.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.