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Maternal constraint of fetal growth and its consequences

Maternal constraint of fetal growth and its consequences
Maternal constraint of fetal growth and its consequences
The major non-genetic factor determining the size of the fetus at term is maternal constraint. This term refers to a set of poorly defined processes by which maternal and uteroplacental factors act to limit the growth of the fetus, presumably by limiting nutrient availability and/or the metabolic-hormonal drive to grow. Maternal constraint can be divided into supply-limited constraint (e.g. maternal size) and demand-driven constraint (e.g. twinning). Maternal constraint acts in all pregnancies, but is greater in some situations, particularly those involving young maternal age, small maternal size, nulliparous and multiple pregnancies. Maternal constraint is an important physiological cause of the variation in birth size, but is not without longer-term consequences. There is increasing evidence that maternal constraint is an important factor in determining the increased risk of adult diseases in those who have poor fetal growth due to pathophysiological factors. The evidence is reviewed and placed in the context of discussing the evolutionary significance of maternal constraint. The role of predictive adaptive responses as the basis of programming, and the effects of maternal constraint on these responses are discussed. Changing demography means that maternal constraint must increasingly be considered as a significant factor in determining the pattern of disease.
maternal constraint, evolution, predictive adaptive response, fetal programming, developmental origins of adult disease
1744-165X
419-425
Gluckman, Peter D.
ef2e8b92-0b76-4a12-bd7c-01b0674f94d3
Hanson, Mark A.
1952fad1-abc7-4284-a0bc-a7eb31f70a3f
Gluckman, Peter D.
ef2e8b92-0b76-4a12-bd7c-01b0674f94d3
Hanson, Mark A.
1952fad1-abc7-4284-a0bc-a7eb31f70a3f

Gluckman, Peter D. and Hanson, Mark A. (2004) Maternal constraint of fetal growth and its consequences. Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, 9 (5), 419-425. (doi:10.1016/j.siny.2004.03.001).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The major non-genetic factor determining the size of the fetus at term is maternal constraint. This term refers to a set of poorly defined processes by which maternal and uteroplacental factors act to limit the growth of the fetus, presumably by limiting nutrient availability and/or the metabolic-hormonal drive to grow. Maternal constraint can be divided into supply-limited constraint (e.g. maternal size) and demand-driven constraint (e.g. twinning). Maternal constraint acts in all pregnancies, but is greater in some situations, particularly those involving young maternal age, small maternal size, nulliparous and multiple pregnancies. Maternal constraint is an important physiological cause of the variation in birth size, but is not without longer-term consequences. There is increasing evidence that maternal constraint is an important factor in determining the increased risk of adult diseases in those who have poor fetal growth due to pathophysiological factors. The evidence is reviewed and placed in the context of discussing the evolutionary significance of maternal constraint. The role of predictive adaptive responses as the basis of programming, and the effects of maternal constraint on these responses are discussed. Changing demography means that maternal constraint must increasingly be considered as a significant factor in determining the pattern of disease.

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More information

Published date: 2004
Keywords: maternal constraint, evolution, predictive adaptive response, fetal programming, developmental origins of adult disease

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 25541
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/25541
ISSN: 1744-165X
PURE UUID: b1ded5d7-5885-4435-a750-60d4430f6784
ORCID for Mark A. Hanson: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-6907-613X

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Date deposited: 07 Apr 2006
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 03:17

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Contributors

Author: Peter D. Gluckman
Author: Mark A. Hanson ORCID iD

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