Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound (30/45MHZ) System
Published on: May 5, 2018
Cardiovascular and metabolic influences of fetal smoke exposure
Hanneke Bakker1, Vincent W V Jaddoe
1The Generation R Study Group (Room Ae-012), Erasmus Medical Centre, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Maternal smoking during pregnancy is linked to low birth weight and increases the risk of adult cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. These risks are amplified by postnatal catch-up growth.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Developmental Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Low birth weight is associated with adult cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
- Postnatal catch-up growth may strengthen these associations.
- Adverse fetal exposures can induce adaptive changes with long-term health consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review epidemiological studies on maternal smoking, fetal growth, and adult cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
- To explore potential biological mechanisms linking maternal smoking to later-life health outcomes.
- To identify challenges for future research in this area.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies examining maternal smoking during pregnancy.
- Analysis of associations between maternal smoking, birth weight, and adult disease prevalence.
- Discussion of biological pathways and developmental adaptations.
Main Results:
- Maternal smoking is a significant factor associated with lower birth weight (150-200g reduction).
- Evidence suggests maternal smoking contributes to pathways leading to adult cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
- Developmental adaptations to fetal exposures may mediate these long-term risks.
Conclusions:
- Maternal smoking during pregnancy is a critical risk factor for adverse birth outcomes and subsequent chronic diseases.
- Understanding the biological mechanisms is crucial for developing effective interventions.
- Further epidemiological research is needed to clarify these complex relationships.
Abstract:
Many epidemiological studies showed associations of low birth weight with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. The associations seem to be consistent and stronger among subjects with a postnatal catch up growth. It has been suggested that developmental changes in response to adverse fetal exposures might lead to changes in the fetal anatomy and physiology. These adaptations may be beneficial for short term, but may lead to common diseases in adulthood. Maternal smoking during pregnancy is one of the most important adverse fetal exposures in Western countries, and is known to be associated with a 150-200 g lower birth weight. An accumulating body of evidence suggests that maternal smoking during pregnancy might be involved in pathways leading to both low birth weight and common diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity, in adulthood. In this review, we discuss epidemiological studies focused on the associations of maternal smoking with fetal growth and development and cardiovascular and metabolic disease in later life. We also discuss potential biological mechanisms, and challenges for future epidemiological studies.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
01:07Teratogenicity
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV