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Semin Reprod Med 2011; 29(3): 266-276
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1275521
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Metabolic Imprinting by Prenatal, Perinatal, and Postnatal Overnutrition: A Review

Jennifer Shine Dyer1 , Charles R. Rosenfeld2
  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
  • 2George L. MacGregor Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Coordinator for Departmental Subspecialty Training, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
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Publication History

Publication Date:
18 July 2011 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Epidemiological studies have suggested that metabolic programming is one of the critical factors contributing to the etiology of obesity as well as concurrent increase in related chronic diseases (e.g., type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease). Metabolic programming is the phenomenon whereby a nutritional stress/stimulus applied during critical periods of early development permanently alters an organism's physiology and metabolism, the consequences of which are often observed much later in life. The idea of metabolic programming originated from the fetal origins hypothesis proposed by Barker in which he suggested that disproportionate size at birth of the newborn due to an adverse intrauterine environment correlated well with an increased risk of adult-onset ill health outcomes (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease). The fetal origins hypothesis, proposed by Barker, suggests that adequate nutrition during fetal development is critical. Overnutrition is a form of malnutrition that has increased in the United States over the past several decades in which nutrients are oversupplied relative to the amounts required for normal growth, development, and metabolism. Evidence for the effects of maternal obesity and overnutrition on metabolic programming is reviewed during critical prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal periods.

KEYWORDS

Overnutrition - macrosomia - gestational diabetes - LGA - metabolic imprinting - metabolic programming - fetal origins hypothesis - type 2 diabetes - obesity - childhood obesity - cardiovascular disease - chronic disease development

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Charles R RosenfeldM.D. 

George L. MacGregor Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology

UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390-9063

Email: charles.rosenfeld@utsouthwestern.edu

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