Intrauterine growth, the vascular system, and the metabolic syndrome
Intrauterine growth, the vascular system, and the metabolic syndrome
There is substantial evidence linking birth size with the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and its major biological risk factors in adulthood. The fetal origins hypothesis proposes that these diseases originate through adaptations, which the fetus makes when it is undernourished. These adaptations may be cardiovascular, metabolic, or endocrine. They permanently change the structure and function of the body. Prevention of the diseases may depend on prevention of imbalances in fetal growth or imbalances between prenatal and postnatal growth, or imbalances in nutrient supply to the fetus.
The purpose of this article is to examine some of the more recent epidemiological associations between low birth weight and adult atherosclerotic vascular disease and its risk factors. We will also discuss mechanisms that might explain these associations.
cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, birth weight
33-43
Holt, R.I.
d54202e1-fcf6-4a17-a320-9f32d7024393
Byrne, C.D.
1370b997-cead-4229-83a7-53301ed2a43c
2002
Holt, R.I.
d54202e1-fcf6-4a17-a320-9f32d7024393
Byrne, C.D.
1370b997-cead-4229-83a7-53301ed2a43c
Holt, R.I. and Byrne, C.D.
(2002)
Intrauterine growth, the vascular system, and the metabolic syndrome.
Seminars in Vascular Medicine, 2 (1), .
(doi:10.1055/s-2002-23094).
Abstract
There is substantial evidence linking birth size with the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and its major biological risk factors in adulthood. The fetal origins hypothesis proposes that these diseases originate through adaptations, which the fetus makes when it is undernourished. These adaptations may be cardiovascular, metabolic, or endocrine. They permanently change the structure and function of the body. Prevention of the diseases may depend on prevention of imbalances in fetal growth or imbalances between prenatal and postnatal growth, or imbalances in nutrient supply to the fetus.
The purpose of this article is to examine some of the more recent epidemiological associations between low birth weight and adult atherosclerotic vascular disease and its risk factors. We will also discuss mechanisms that might explain these associations.
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Published date: 2002
Keywords:
cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, birth weight
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Local EPrints ID: 25619
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/25619
ISSN: 1528-9648
PURE UUID: 8666f465-bef3-45d6-99f1-7bbd5322588e
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Date deposited: 20 Apr 2006
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 03:19
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