TY - JOUR

T1 - Physiological adaption to maternal malaria and other adverse exposure

T2 - low birth weight, functional capacity, and possible metabolic disease in adult life

AU - Christensen, Dirk L

AU - Kapur, Anil

AU - Bygbjerg, Ib C

N1 - Copyright © 2011 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.

PY - 2011

Y1 - 2011

N2 - The concept of developmental origins of health and disease and the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries has increased the focus on low birth weight (LBW). Most studies linking LBW to future risk of metabolic diseases have focused on maternal nutrition and anemia. Several studies have shown that LBWis linked to skeletal muscle insulin resistance and future risk of type 2 diabetes, possibly caused by permanent modifications in skeletal muscle morphology and biochemistry leading to lowered functional capacity and physical activity in adult life. In some parts of the world, malaria infection during pregnancy is the most common cause of anemia and LBW. By causing disruption to nutrient supply, as well as hypoxia, placental malaria and anemia negatively impact intrauterine fetal development. Thus, in utero exposure to placental malaria and consequent LBW may impart a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in early adult life. This has not been investigated systematically. Worldwide, an estimated 125 million pregnancies occur annually in malarial areas with a vast potential for intrauterine growth restriction, LBW, and subsequent risk of metabolic dysfunction, including type 2 diabetes; this potential link also opens an opportunity for early prevention of future metabolic diseases by paying greater attention to malaria during pregnancy.

AB - The concept of developmental origins of health and disease and the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries has increased the focus on low birth weight (LBW). Most studies linking LBW to future risk of metabolic diseases have focused on maternal nutrition and anemia. Several studies have shown that LBWis linked to skeletal muscle insulin resistance and future risk of type 2 diabetes, possibly caused by permanent modifications in skeletal muscle morphology and biochemistry leading to lowered functional capacity and physical activity in adult life. In some parts of the world, malaria infection during pregnancy is the most common cause of anemia and LBW. By causing disruption to nutrient supply, as well as hypoxia, placental malaria and anemia negatively impact intrauterine fetal development. Thus, in utero exposure to placental malaria and consequent LBW may impart a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in early adult life. This has not been investigated systematically. Worldwide, an estimated 125 million pregnancies occur annually in malarial areas with a vast potential for intrauterine growth restriction, LBW, and subsequent risk of metabolic dysfunction, including type 2 diabetes; this potential link also opens an opportunity for early prevention of future metabolic diseases by paying greater attention to malaria during pregnancy.

KW - Adaptation, Physiological

KW - Adult

KW - Anemia

KW - Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

KW - Female

KW - Fetal Growth Retardation

KW - Humans

KW - Infant, Low Birth Weight

KW - Infant, Newborn

KW - Malaria

KW - Male

KW - Malnutrition

KW - Maternal Welfare

KW - Metabolic Diseases

KW - Muscle, Skeletal

KW - Pregnancy

KW - Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic

KW - Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects

U2 - 10.1016/S0020-7292(11)60006-4

DO - 10.1016/S0020-7292(11)60006-4

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22099434

VL - 115 Suppl 1

SP - S16-9

JO - International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics

JF - International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics

SN - 0020-7292

ER -