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A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
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A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

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Perinatal inflammation: a common factor in the early origins of cardiovascular disease?

Maria U Nguyen1, Megan J Wallace1, Salvatore Pepe2

  • 1The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.

Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)
|July 31, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular disease begins in early life, influenced by perinatal factors like inflammation. Understanding these origins, particularly chorioamnionitis, offers new avenues for early detection and prevention of atherosclerosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Developmental Biology
  • Perinatal Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease is a leading global health issue, with traditional risk factors explaining only a portion of its prevalence.
  • Atherosclerosis originates in early life, presenting a critical window for intervention.
  • Perinatal factors, including maternal health conditions and lifestyle, are linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes later in life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current research on the early-life origins of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
  • To emphasize the role of perinatal inflammation, specifically chorioamnionitis, in cardiovascular risk.
  • To explore how early inflammatory events contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epidemiological and experimental studies.
  • Synthesis of data on intrauterine growth, prematurity, and maternal risk factors.
  • Analysis of research investigating perinatal infection and inflammation (chorioamnionitis).

Main Results:

  • Early-life factors like poor intrauterine growth and prematurity are associated with cardiovascular issues.
  • Maternal conditions (hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, obesity, smoking) impact offspring cardiovascular health.
  • Emerging evidence links chorioamnionitis to cardiac and vascular dysfunction.

Conclusions:

  • Early-life inflammatory events are significant contributors to cardiovascular risk.
  • Perinatal inflammation, including chorioamnionitis, may be a key mechanism in atherosclerosis development.
  • Understanding these early origins is crucial for developing strategies to prevent adult cardiovascular disease.

Keywords:
atherosclerosiscardiovascular diseasechorioamnionitisfetal infectioninflammationperinatal infection

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