Developmental Origins of Adult Disease

Question 1

What is the relationship between birth weight and cardiovascular disease?

Answer 1

Correlation between low birth weight and increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes

Also high birth weight infants are at higher risk as well

U-shaped curve

Question 2

What is the thrifty phenotype hypothesis?

Answer 2

Poor maternal nutrition and fetal malnutrition prepares the fetus for an adult life of malnutrition

If there is a mismatch between predicted nutrition, adult will develop type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Question 3

What evidence supports the thrifty phenotype hypothesis?

Answer 3

Dutch Hunger Winter Famine 1944 - 1945

Daily food supply dramatically cut to 400-800 calories per day

Individuals who were in utero in mid or late gestation had low birth weight and increased prevalence of decreased glucose tolerance at age 50

Question 4

Which adult conditions are linked to birth weight?

Answer 4

1. Type II diabetes
2. Osteoporosis
3. Schizophrenia
4. Breast cancer
5. Depression
6. Insulin resistance
7. Metabolic syndrome
8. Coronary artery disease

Question 5

What is believed to underly the fetal origins of disease?

Answer 5

Epigenetic marks induced by the environment in utero that persist in the absence of this environment