MINIREVIEW
Intrauterine Undernutrition and Programming as a New Risk of
Cardiovascular Disease in Later Life
P. SZITÁNYI, J.
JANDA, R. POLEDNE1
First Department of Pediatrics, Second Medical School,
Charles University, University Hospital Motol and 1Institute
for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Center for
Experimental Cardiovascular Research, Prague, Czech
Republic
Received April 24, 2002
Accepted November 13, 2002
Summary
It is believed that atherogenesis is a multifactorial process,
which could already start in utero. Development of
atherosclerosis progresses over decades and leads to the
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adulthood. At present,
we have no exact explanation for all the risk factors acting in
the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This review should provide
an overview about the possible role of intrauterine
undernutrition in the development of risk factors for
cardiovascular disease. Intrauterine undernutrition leads to
changes in fetal growth and metabolism and programs later
development of some of these risk factors. A number of
experimental and human studies indicates that hypertension as
well as impaired cholesterol and glucose metabolism are affected
by intrauterine growth. Intrauterine undernutrition plays an
important role and acts synergistically with numerous genetic
and environmental factors in the development of atherosclerosis.
There is evidence that undernutrition of the fetus has permanent
effects on the health status of human individuals.
Key
words
Intrauterine undernutrition • Low birth weight •
Programming • Atherosclerosis • Risk factors of cardiovascular
disease
Reprint
requests
P. Szitányi, First Department
of Pediatrics, Second Medical School, Charles University,
University Hospital Motol, V úvalu 84, 150 06 Prague 5, Czech
Republic. E-mail:
szitanyi@yahoo.com
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