North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

What prenatal factor affects the amount of brown fat deposits in a newborn?

1. Maternal nutrition

2. Gestational age

3. Fetal activity levels

4. Environmental conditions

The correct answer is: Gestational age

The correct choice highlights the significant role of gestational age in determining the amount of brown fat deposits in a newborn. Brown fat, which is essential for thermoregulation and maintaining body temperature, develops particularly during late gestation. As the fetus approaches full term, the accumulation of brown fat increases to prepare the infant for survival outside the womb, particularly in terms of temperature regulation after birth. In fetuses born prematurely, the deposits of brown fat may be insufficient, leading to greater risks for hypothermia. Full-term infants typically have more developed brown fat reserves, which help them adapt to postnatal life. Understanding the link between gestational age and brown fat development is crucial for assessing the health and readiness of a newborn for life outside the womb. Other options, while they may have varying effects on newborn health, do not directly correlate with the specific impact on brown fat deposits as gestational age does. Maternal nutrition can influence many aspects of pregnancy, fetal growth, and development but is not directly tied to brown fat levels in a way that gestational age is. Fetal activity levels and environmental conditions can also affect health outcomes, but their influence on brown fat is not as pronounced or direct as that of gestational age.