The researchers compared bones scans from 518 Children of the 90s participants, taken when they were aged nine, 15 and 17. The scans were then compared with measurements (thickness, volume and weight) taken from their mothers’ placenta.

The team found that greater placental size at birth was associated with larger bones at each of the three ages (nine, 15 and 17).

The study, published recently in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, found that the relationship between the placenta and the child’s bones remained robust even after taking factors such as the child’s height, weight and pubertal status into account.

The researchers believe this latest research offers new insights into earlier observations linking maternal factors in pregnancy with offspring bone health.

Larger bones in early life are likely to lead to larger, stronger bones in older adulthood, which reduces the risk of osteoporosis and broken bones in later life. However, more research is needed to understand the more detailed mechanisms underlying associations between placenta size and function and the child’s bone mass, the team says.

Professor Nicholas Harvey, Professor of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology at Southampton University, who led the research, commented:

Whilst there are many factors which are likely to influence placental size and function, and importantly, we don’t know as yet whether a larger placenta actually causes the greater offspring bone mass, these findings really help us to understand the possible mechanisms whereby factors such as maternal diet, smoking, physical activity and vitamin D status may influence offspring bone development.