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Feeding in infancy: short- and long-term effects on cardiovascular function
M M Myers1, H N Shair, M A Hofer
1Department of Psychiatry, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY.
Insights
Infant cardiovascular responses to feeding, regulated by autonomic activity, may significantly influence long-term adult blood pressure development. Further research is needed to understand these early-life cardiovascular adaptations.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Adult cardiovascular responses to feeding are acute adaptations for nutrient processing.
- Infant cardiovascular responses to nutrient intake are regulated by autonomic nervous system activity.
- Emerging research suggests early-life cardiovascular adaptations have long-term implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review evidence linking infant cardiovascular responses to nutrient intake with adult cardiovascular function.
- Explore potential mechanisms by which early-life cardiovascular adaptations shape long-term outcomes.
- Identify future research directions to elucidate these early-life effects on cardiovascular health.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature and studies.
- Analysis of autonomic nervous system regulation of cardiovascular responses in infants.
- Exploration of potential developmental pathways influencing adult blood pressure.
Main Results:
- Infants exhibit significant cardiovascular responses to nutrient intake.
- Autonomic activity plays a key role in regulating these infant cardiovascular responses.
- Evidence suggests a link between infant cardiovascular responses and adult blood pressure regulation.
Conclusions:
- Infant cardiovascular responses to feeding are critical and influenced by autonomic activity.
- These early-life cardiovascular adaptations may contribute to the long-term development of adult blood pressure.
- Further investigation is required to fully understand the mechanisms involved in this early-life programming of cardiovascular function.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular responses of adult organisms to feeding are well characterized and, in general, are understood as acute adaptations required for processing and distributing nutrients. Research over the past several years has shown that infants also have important cardiovascular responses to nutrient intake and that these are regulated by changes in autonomic activity to the heart and vasculature. Recent studies have provided results that suggest these responses in infancy may make an important contribution to the long-term development of cardiovascular function, in particular, adult blood pressure (BP). The purpose of this presentation will be to review the evidence that has led to this conclusion, offer ideas about how this potential early-life shaping of subsequent cardiovascular function may come about, and suggest further studies that will be required in order to characterize the mechanisms responsible for these effects.