Composition of the human foetus

Abstract

1. The body composition was determined of forty-one fetuses of different gestational ages born to mothers belonging to a low socio-economic group of the population.2. With increasing gestational age the water content fell from 88% at 28 weeks to 76% at term; the fat content increased from 2.1% to 11.2% and the protein content increased from 6.9 to 9.3%.3. The changes in body composition were more closely related to body-weight than to gestational age.4. The calcium, Phosphorus and magnesium contents of the body per unit fat-free weight progressively increased with gestational age, and at term the values appeared to be considerably lower than those reported in the literature. The Ca:P ratio was constant at different body-weights.5. The body iron content per unit of fat-free weight increased marginally with increasing gestational age. The value was almost 30% lower than the values reported from elsewhere.6. It is suggested that chemical composition and nutrient stores of the developing foetus can be considerably influenced by the state of maternal nutrition.