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Maternal nutritional imbalance during pregnancy and the development of fetal-origin cardiovascular diseases

Shihua Cui1,2,3, Fengying Deng2, Muxue Lu2

  • 1School of Life Science and Technology, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China.

Frontiers in Nutrition
|February 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy significantly impacts offspring cardiovascular health. Nutritional imbalances can lead to fetal adaptations, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • The prenatal period is crucial for fetal cardiovascular development.
  • Maternal nutritional status influences offspring's long-term cardiovascular health.
  • Nutritional imbalances during pregnancy are linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in offspring.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of maternal nutritional imbalances on offspring cardiovascular health.
  • To discuss mechanisms linking prenatal nutrition to postnatal CVD.
  • To identify future research and intervention strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing current knowledge.
  • Discussion of epidemiological evidence and mechanistic insights.
  • Focus on macronutrient and micronutrient imbalances, alcohol, and caffeine exposure.

Main Results:

  • Maternal undernutrition, overnutrition, and specific nutrient deficiencies adversely affect fetal vascular development.
  • Mechanisms include epigenetic regulation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction.
  • Prenatal exposures predispose offspring to later-life CVD.

Conclusions:

  • Optimizing maternal nutrition is a critical public health strategy for CVD prevention.
  • Early nutritional interventions can mitigate long-term cardiovascular risks.
  • Addressing intergenerational metabolic disease requires focus on prenatal nutrition.

Keywords:
adverse dietary patternscardiovascular diseaseoffspringovernutritionundernutrition

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