0
0
February 16, 2024
New research from the University of Helsinki in Finland has shed light on the connection between birth weight and the risk of heart disease in adults, attributing it to shared risk genes between mothers and their children. Published in the journal Communications Biology, the study challenges previous theories suggesting that inadequate nutrition during pregnancy directly predisposes individuals to cardiovascular disease later in life.
While previous studies have established a correlation between low birth weight and an increased risk of hypertension and heart disease in adulthood, the underlying biological mechanisms have remained debated. One prevailing theory implicates inadequate maternal nutrition during pregnancy, affecting the foetus’s metabolism and potentially predisposing it to cardiovascular issues in later life.
However, the latest findings suggest a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between birth weight and heart disease risk. Researchers discovered that maternal genetic factors influencing foetal growth have a birth weight-independent impact on the child’s susceptibility to heart disease. These genes play a role in disease risk only when inherited by the child.
Jaakko Leinonen, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) at the University of Helsinki, explained, “Small changes in the baby’s growth before birth due to the mother are unlikely to have a major impact on the child’s risk of developing the disease as an adult. Instead, it seems that a child’s own genes play a much more important role in determining his or her future health risks.”
The study analyzed genetic data from over 36,000 mother-child pairs, offering novel insights into how maternal health and foetal conditions influence the child’s long-term health outcomes. By simultaneously examining genetic data from both mothers and children, researchers could differentiate between the genetic effects of maternal and child factors.
Dr. Taru Tukiainen, who led the study, emphasized the significance of their research methodology in elucidating the complex interplay between maternal health, foetal development, and adult disease risk. The study’s approach provides a promising avenue for understanding how variations in birth weight, including significant underweight, impact disease risk in adulthood.
As researchers continue to unravel the intricate relationship between prenatal factors and adult health outcomes, further studies are warranted to explore the long-term implications of birth weight variations on disease susceptibility. The findings underscore the importance of considering genetic factors inherited from both parents in assessing individual health risks and designing personalized interventions for disease prevention and management.
