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Low birth weight and endocrine dysfunction in postnatal life
1Institute of Maternal and Child Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago. vmericq@med.uchile.cl
Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews : PER
|October 6, 2006
Summary
Small size at birth and reduced early growth are linked to endocrine issues like insulin resistance and abnormal puberty. These developmental origins may explain long-term health problems, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Small size at birth increases neonatal morbidity and mortality.
- Reduced early-life growth is linked to endocrine dysfunctions, including insulin insensitivity, gonadal and somatotropic axis abnormalities, and premature adrenarche.
- These alterations are associated with increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CHD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the factors involved in fetal and infant programming.
- To understand the development of endocrine dysfunction in postnatal life.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on early life growth and endocrine outcomes.
- Analysis of the
- Fetal Origins
- and
- Developmental Origins
- hypotheses.
Main Results:
- Early life growth patterns influence long-term endocrine health.
- The
- thrifty phenotype
- hypothesis suggests adaptive responses to in utero malnutrition.
- Developmental Origins
- incorporates postnatal growth contributions.
Conclusions:
- Factors influencing fetal and infant development play a critical role in programming postnatal endocrine function.
- Understanding these programming factors is essential for preventing long-term health issues.
- Early life interventions may mitigate risks associated with endocrine dysfunction.
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