Physiol. Res. 52: 389-395, 2003

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


© 2003 by the Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences