Hormonal Biomarkers for Evaluating the Impact of Fetal Growth Restriction on the Development of Chronic Adult Disease

Abstract

The hypothesis of fetal origins to adult diseases proposes that metabolic chronic disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension originate in the developmental plasticity due to intrauterine insults. These processes involve an adaptative response by the fetus to changes in the environmental signals, which can promote the reset of hormones and of the metabolism to establish a “thrifty phenotype”. Metabolic alterations during intrauterine growth restriction can modify the fetal programming. The present nonsystematic review intended to summarize historical and current references that indicated that developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) occur as a consequence of altered maternal and fetal metabolic pathways. The purpose is to highlight the potential implications of growth factors and adipokines in “developmental programming”, which could interfere in the development by controlling fetal growth patterns. These changes affect the structure and the functional capacity of various organs, including the brain, the kidneys, and the pancreas. These investigations may improve the approach to optimizing antenatal as well as perinatal care aimed to protect newborns against long-term chronic diseases.

The Prediction of Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Intrauterine Growth Restriction using the Doppler Indices of Myocardial Performance and Aortic Isthmus

“…Delivery was indicated according to standard obstetric practice guidelines at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Al-Azhar University new Damietta Hospital. Delivery had been indicated in the following circumstances [1] When there were an evidence of absent or reversed a-wave in the DV or decelerative cardiotocography, then delivery was indicated after 28 weeks of gestation; [2] Delivery was recommended in case of umbilical artery reversed end diastolic flow [REDF] between 30 and 32 weeks; [3] Delivery was recommended in case of umbilical artery absent end diastolic flow [AEDF] between 32 and 34 weeks; and [4] Delivery was recommended in case of umbilical artery PI >95 th centile beyond [34 weeks].…”

“…Intrauterine growth restriction [IUGR] is a common obstetric problem that affects 10% of all pregnancies [1] . It is a major cause of perinatal morbidity [e.g., cerebral palsy, physical disabilities and other consequences that manifested after puberty] and mortality [2] . The optimal timing for delivery for IUGR affected pregnancies remains controversial.…”

Maternal nicotine exposure aggravates metabolic associated fatty liver disease via PI3K/Akt signaling in adult offspring mice

“…Evidence has shown that intrauterine insults, such as poor nutrition, stress, and toxin exposure, during pregnancy may make offspring prone to chronic metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in their adulthood 12,13 . Nicotine exposure during pregnancy through cigarette smoking, nicotine replacement therapies or e‐cigarette use is a worldwide public health problem affecting both fetal and postnatal health 14,15 .…”

Perspective on prenatal polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and the development of the progeny nervous system (Review)

“…In 1992, Hales and Barker ( 11 ) proposed the concept of developmental origins of health and disease, which is a hypothesis describing the fetal basis of adult disease. As of late, it has been widely accepted that early lifetime exposure to environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) could affect the long-term susceptibility of offspring to disease ( 12 , 13 ). Intrauterine development is a critical period of plasticity for most organs and systems, wherein the fetus changes the structure and function of its organs, which is known as 'programming', to prepare for improved extrauterine survival ( 12 ).…”

“…As of late, it has been widely accepted that early lifetime exposure to environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) could affect the long-term susceptibility of offspring to disease ( 12 , 13 ). Intrauterine development is a critical period of plasticity for most organs and systems, wherein the fetus changes the structure and function of its organs, which is known as 'programming', to prepare for improved extrauterine survival ( 12 ). Neurodevelopment, one of the most fragile processes, which occurs from the embryo to adolescence, is sensitive to environmental insults.…”