Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
14:19

Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Published on: June 29, 2013

27.4K

Fetal growth restriction and preterm as determinants of child growth in the first two years and potential

Parul Christian1

  • 1Department of International Health, Center for Human Nutrition, Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Nestle Nutrition Institute Workshop Series
|February 8, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Childhood undernutrition, including stunting and wasting, is linked to fetal growth issues like small for gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth. Early life interventions during pregnancy and preconception are crucial for preventing undernutrition.

Area of Science:

  • Global child health
  • Maternal and child nutrition
  • Developmental pediatrics

Background:

  • Millions of children under 5 experience stunting globally, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Low birthweight and fetal growth restriction are prevalent in these regions and may contribute to childhood undernutrition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between fetal growth parameters (small for gestational age and preterm birth) and subsequent childhood undernutrition (stunting and wasting).
  • To inform early life interventions for preventing undernutrition.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 14 longitudinal birth cohorts with anthropometric measurements at 24 months of age.
  • Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to assess the relationship between SGA/preterm birth and stunting/wasting.
  • Comparison was made relative to term adequate size for gestational age (AGA) infants.

Main Results:

  • Infants born AGA-preterm had an OR of 1.94 for stunting, SGA-term infants had an OR of 2.82, and SGA-preterm infants had an OR of 4.98, compared to term AGA infants.
  • Similar increased risks were observed for wasting and underweight.
  • Childhood undernutrition is significantly associated with fetal growth restriction and preterm birth.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood undernutrition has origins in the fetal period, highlighting the need for interventions during pregnancy and preconception.
  • Emphasis on maternal and adolescent nutrition is critical.
  • Effective interventions include antenatal supplementation and nutrition-sensitive practices like smoking cessation and optimizing pregnancy spacing.

More Related Videos

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis06:19

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis

Published on: January 7, 2018

10.1K
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

90.5K

Related Concept Videos

Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
19.4K
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
4.2K
Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when...
6.3K
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
4.9K
Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
1.4K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
408