Fetal Programming: Early-life Modulations that Affect Adult Outcomes

Abstract

Asthma is a common disease, and the number of people diagnosed with it increases every year. Although genetic background and environmental exposures play major roles in the development of asthma, one cannot overlook the developmental origin of adult disease or fetal programming theory. This review examines the social, genetic, and environmental factors that are associated with fetal programming of asthma. We also present recent studies from our laboratory that strengthen these observations. It is our hope that the reader will come away with a current view of fetal programming in asthma.

Peanut and tree nut consumption during pregnancy and allergic disease in children—should mothers decrease their intake? Longitudinal evidence from the Danish National Birth Cohort

“…consumption groups. Behaviors observed in the highest peanut intake category have been associated with increased risk of allergic disease (maternal smoking 22 ). Factors that have been suggested to confer some benefit against allergic disease, such as maternal dairy intake, 23 use of hypoallergenic formula, 24 child day care attendance, 25 and pet ownership, 26,27 were less common in this group compared with never consumers.…”

Impact of perinatal environmental tobacco smoke on the development of childhood allergic diseases

“…The etiology of allergic diseases is considered multifactorial, comprising of genetic, epigenetic, developmental and environmental factors, or their complex interactions. Because allergic diseases are earliest onset, chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), it has been proposed that interaction between genetic predisposition and exposure to the various environmental factors influence the fetal functional and developmental programming in utero leading to susceptibility for the development of allergic diseases6). The fetal origin hypothesis postulates that NCDs in adult, such as cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, originate from growth retardation in the fetal period7).…”

Vitamin D during pregnancy: why observational studies suggest deficiency and interventional studies show no improvement in clinical outcomes? A narrative review

“…Pregnancy is a unique state in a woman's life, characterized by a continuum of biologic events that enables tissue maturation, aiming for fetal adaptation to future environmental and nutritional influences (1,2). On this critical time frame, several exogenous stimuli could affect maternal -neonatal syncytium and have an impact on pregnancy outcome, maternal health and future offspring development (1)(2)(3).…”

“…On this critical time frame, several exogenous stimuli could affect maternal -neonatal syncytium and have an impact on pregnancy outcome, maternal health and future offspring development (1)(2)(3). A wide range of nutritional deficiencies have been recognized as a preventable cause of adverse health events, rendering scientific communities and health organizations worldwide to establish specific nutritional recommendations aiming for optimal fetal development (4).…”