The relationship between MMP9 and ADRA2A gene polymorphisms and mothers–newborns’ nutritional status: an exploratory path model (STROBE compliant article)

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the direct effects of matrix metalloproteinase ( MMP9 rs17577, MMP9 rs17576) and alfa 2 adrenergic receptor ( ADRA2A rs553668) gene polymorphisms investigated in mothers and their newborns on maternal weight gain (MWG) during pregnancy and the newborn’s birth weight (BW), taking into account the presence of other related factors. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study in 197 mother–newborn pairs in an Obstetrics Gynecology Clinic, in order to evaluate the demographic and anthropometric parameters, and gene polymorphism. Results BW was positively correlated with maternal age ( p = 0.021) and the educational level ( p = 0.002), and negatively correlated with smoking status in pregnant women ( p