The double hit of growth restriction: Its origins and outcome on this generation and the next

摘要

The study by Gallo et al. (2012) in a recent issue of the Journal .of Physiology tested the hypothesis that the physiological challenge of growth restricted pregnancy enhances programming of cardiovascular (CV), renal and metabolic risk, and impacts fetal growth in the next generation. However, the importance of this study is not limited to the transmission of intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) to the next generation, or the effect of pregnancy and its related physiological impact on adverse adult health risk in female growth restricted offspring. A crucial aspect of this study is that it highlights the complexity of the 'Developmental Origins of Health and Disease' and underscores the importance of further investigation into the mechanisms that program the long-term effect of growth restriction on later metabolic health.