Dieting behaviors and risk of neural tube defects.
(17/608)
The authors examined whether maternal dieting behaviors were associated with increased neural tube defect (NTD) risk among offspring, using population-based, case-control data. The analysis included 538 cases and 539 nonmalformed controls delivered from 1989 to 1991 in selected California counties, and exposures were assessed by in-person maternal interview. Among four reported dieting behaviors involving restricted food intake, diets to lose weight (odds ratio=2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.1, 4.1), fasting diets (odds ratio=5.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.7, 20.0), and eating disorders (odds ratio=1.7, 95% confidence interval: 0.8, 3.6) were associated with increased NTD risk during the first trimester of pregnancy. Risk estimates for these behaviors during the 3 months before conception tended to be closer to 1. The fourth behavior, "other special diets," was not associated with increased NTD risk during either period. Women also reported whether they took diet pills, laxatives, or diuretics, engaged in binge eating, induced vomiting, or exercised excessively from the first 3 months before conception through the end of pregnancy. Only the intake of diuretics was associated with substantially increased NTD risk (odds ratio=2.7, 95% confidence interval: 0.7, 10.2). This study suggests that maternal dieting behaviors involving restricted food intake during the first trimester may be associated with increased NTD risk. (+info)
The intergenerational effects of fetal programming: non-genomic mechanisms for the inheritance of low birth weight and cardiovascular risk.
(18/608)
Many epidemiological studies in diverse populations have demonstrated a link between low birth weight and subsequent disease. This evidence has given rise to the fetal origins hypothesis, which suggests that exposure of the fetus to an adverse environment in utero leads to permanent programming of tIssue function and a risk of cardiovascular disease. An alternative hypothesis is that low birth weight and adult cardiovascular disease are independent features of a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease. This review describes evidence that the programming phenomenon may not be limited to the first generation offspring. Results of human and animal studies identify intergenerational programmed effects on both birth weight and cardiovascular disease. This may represent a mechanism for the non-genetic inheritance of a predisposition to low birth weight and adverse cardiovascular risk across a number of generations. (+info)
Risk factors for early infant mortality in Sarlahi district, Nepal.
(19/608)
OBJECTIVES: Early infant mortality has not declined as rapidly as child mortality in many countries. Identification of risk factors for early infant mortality may help inform the design of intervention strategies. METHODS: Over the period 1994-97, 15,469 live-born, singleton infants in rural Nepal were followed to 24 weeks of age to identify risk factors for mortality within 0-7 days, 8-28 days, and 4-24 weeks after the birth. FINDINGS: In multivariate models, maternal and paternal education reduced mortality between 4 and 24 weeks only: odds ratios (OR) 0.28 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.12-0.66) and 0.63 (95% CI = 0.44-0.88), respectively. Miscarriage in the previous pregnancy predicted mortality in the first week of life (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.37-2.87), whereas prior child deaths increased the risk of post-neonatal death (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.24-2.75). A larger maternal mid-upper arm circumference reduced the risk of infant death during the first week of life (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.81-0.95). Infants of women who did not receive any tetanus vaccinations during pregnancy or who had severe illness during the third trimester were more likely to die in the neonatal period. Maternal mortality was strongly associated with infant mortality (OR = 6.43, 95% CI = 2.35-17.56 at 0-7 days; OR = 11.73, 95% CI = 3.82-36.00 at 8-28 days; and OR = 51.68, 95% CI = 20.26-131.80 at 4-24 weeks). CONCLUSION: Risk factors for early infant mortality varied with the age of the infant. Factors amenable to intervention included efforts aimed at maternal morbidity and mortality and increased arm circumference during pregnancy. (+info)
Nutritional manipulation of fetal adipose tissue deposition and uncoupling protein 1 messenger RNA abundance in the sheep: differential effects of timing and duration.
(20/608)
A range of epidemiological and experimental studies have indicated that suboptimal nutrition at different stages of gestation is associated with an increased prevalence of adult hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. The timing of prenatal nutrient restriction is important in determining postnatal outcomes-including obesity. The present study, aimed to determine the extent to which fetal adiposity and expression of the key thermogenic protein, uncoupling protein (UCP)1, are altered by restriction of maternal nutrient intake imposed during four different periods, starting from before conception. Maternal nutrient intake was restricted from 60 days before until 8 days after mating (periconceptional nutrient restriction; R-C), from 60 days before mating and throughout gestation (R-R), from 8 days gestation until term (C-R), or from 115 days gestation until term. Fetal perirenal adipose tissue (PAT) was sampled near to term at approximately 143 days. UCP1 mRNA, but not protein, abundance in PAT was increased in fetuses in the R-R group (C-C 63 +/- 18; R-C 83 +/- 43; C-R 103 +/- 38; R-R 167 +/- 50 arbitrary units (P < 0.05)). In contrast, the abundance of UCP1 mRNA, but not protein, in fetal PAT was decreased when maternal nutrition was restricted from 115 days gestation. The major effect of maternal nutrient restriction on adipose tissue deposition occurred in the C-R group, in which the proportion of fetal fat was doubled, whereas maternal nutrient restriction from 115 days gestation reduced fetal fat deposition. In conclusion, there are differential effects of maternal and therefore fetal nutrient restriction on UCP1 mRNA expression and fetal fat mass and these effects are dependent on the timing and duration of nutrient restriction. (+info)
The effects of maternal mild protein restriction on stroke incidence and blood pressure in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP).
(21/608)
The effect of maternal protein restriction during pregnancy on the offspring's blood pressure was assessed in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) which are genetically predisposed to hypertension and stroke. After the confirmation of pregnancy, the control group was given a 20% casein diet, and the low-protein group was fed a 9% casein diet. After the confirmation of delivery, commercial feed was given to both of the groups. No differences were seen between the control and low-protein offspring in regard to body weight, blood pressure elevation, or life span. One percent saline solution was put in the control and low-protein groups after the age of 11 weeks. Blood pressure increased markedly in the low-protein group, on the blood pressure level in the low-protein group on week 2 after salt loading (242+/-6 mmHg) was significantly higher than that in the control group (223+/-9 mmHg; p<0.05). The survival duration was significantly shorter in the low-protein group (113+/-4 days) than in the control group (135+/-22 days; p<0.05). These results suggest that maternal protein malnutrition in SHRSP exerted a high salt sensitivity and a malignant influence on stroke incidence on offspring. (+info)
Maternal undernutrition and the sex ratio at birth in Ethiopia: evidence from a national sample.
(22/608)
It has been suggested that maternal undernutrition results in facultative adjustment of the sex ratio at birth among humans, favouring females. We tested this hypothesis using data from the Demographics and Health Survey of Ethiopia for 2000. Our data provide at best limited support for the suggestion that maternal nutritional status is associated with the sex ratio at birth in humans. (+info)
Maternal fish intake in late pregnancy and the frequency of low birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation in a cohort of British infants.
(23/608)
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between maternal fish intake in late pregnancy and the frequency of low birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). PARTICIPANTS: 11 585 pregnant women in south west England. METHODS: Information on fish intake was obtained from a food frequency questionnaire sent to the women at 32 weeks' gestation, and used to calculate n-3 fatty acid (n-3FA) intake from fish. IUGR was defined as a birth weight for gestational age and sex below the 10th centile. Confounding variables considered included maternal age, height, weight, education, parity, smoking and drinking in pregnancy, and whether the mother was living with a partner. Only singleton, liveborn infants were included. MAIN RESULTS: Mean daily intakes of fish and n-3FAs were 32.8 g and 0.147 g respectively. In unadjusted analyses there were positive associations between mean birth weight and fish intake or n-3FA intake, but these disappeared on adjustment for potential confounders. The frequency of IUGR decreased with increasing fish intake-the OR (95%CI) of IUGR in those eating no fish was 1.85 (1.44 to 2.38) compared with those in the highest fish intake group. On adjustment this relation was attenuated (adjusted OR 1.37 (1.02 to 1.84)), but the decline in the frequency of IUGR with increasing fish intake remained statistically significant. No relation was observed between mean gestation and fish or n-3FA intake. CONCLUSIONS: These results lend some support to the hypothesis that raising fish or n3-FA intake during pregnancy may increase fetal growth rate. However, they provide no evidence that increasing fish consumption is associated with an increase in mean gestation. (+info)
Intrauterine famine exposure and body proportions at birth: the Dutch Hunger Winter.
(24/608)
BACKGROUND: Fetal programming of adult disease may be a long-term effect of fetal nutrition. Expected short-term effects include changes in body size and proportions at birth. The specific responses of fetal growth to acute undernutrition at varying points in pregnancy are still unclear. METHODS: We abstracted all birth records of infants born in two midwife training schools in the western Netherlands between 1 October 1944 and 31 March 1946, and compared infants whose mothers were exposed to the Dutch famine of 1944-1945 during specific trimesters of pregnancy with control infants born in 1943. We considered birthweight (BWT), crown-to-heel length (CHL), head circumference (HC), and ratio and regression-adjusted measures of these parameters. RESULTS: BWT, CHL, and HC declined with famine exposure late in pregnancy. Changes in WT for CHL paralleled changes in WT alone in size and direction. Results for HC were inconsistent, varying by choice of body size adjustor (WT or CHL), and by method of adjustment (ratio or regression). BWT, CHL, and HC did not change with first trimester famine exposure. CONCLUSION: Even under famine conditions, birth size and body proportions vary only with late pregnancy exposure. HC for body size has the added disadvantage that late pregnancy exposure effects vary drastically with choice of measure. We do not recommend the use of birth size or body proportions as a proxy for fetal nutritional status in the study of adult disease. (+info)