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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
19:15
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
External influences on the fetus and their long-term consequences
1MRC Resource Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK. diwp@mrc.soton.ac.uk
Lupus
|December 13, 2006
Summary
Low birth weight may increase adult cardiovascular disease risk due to developmental programming. Emerging evidence suggests intrauterine influences also impact immune system development, potentially contributing to autoimmune diseases.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The developmental origins hypothesis links low birth weight to adult cardiovascular disease.
- This hypothesis posits that early-life environmental exposures cause lasting physiological changes.
- Developmental plasticity or programming explains these long-term effects, supported by animal studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of developmental plasticity in immune system development.
- To investigate the potential link between early-life environment and autoimmune disease pathogenesis.
- To review evidence for programming effects on immune function and autoimmune disease risk.
Main Methods:
- Review of animal studies on intrauterine environment and immune function.
- Analysis of human epidemiological data correlating birth weight with adult health outcomes.
- Examination of preliminary human evidence on early environment and autoimmune diseases.
Main Results:
- Animal studies demonstrate profound, long-lasting effects of the intrauterine environment on immune function.
- Preliminary human data suggest associations between birth weight and autoimmune disease prevalence.
- Evidence indicates developmental programming may extend to immune system development.
Conclusions:
- The intrauterine environment significantly influences immune system development and function.
- Developmental programming is a plausible mechanism linking early-life exposures to autoimmune diseases.
- Further human research is needed to confirm the role of developmental origins in autoimmune disease etiology.
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