Fetal Programming in Maternal Obesity

Abstract

The nutritional status of the pregnant mother has a significant effect on the developing fetus which could be reflected as different forms of metabolic disorders in their postnatal life know as fetal programming. Recently obesity has became an epidemic and obese pregnant mothers have been shown to develop an adverse in utero environment as a consequence of chronic low-grade inflammation. This can have an significant impact on several organs including the placenta which connects the mother and the developing vital organs of the fetus such as heart, liver, immune system, and digestive system. Critical developmental processes can be affected in fetal organs that could compromise their efficient function during post-natal life. Overall, obese mothers are not only at risk of developing metabolic disorders on their own but also lead to deteriorating effects in the form of metabolic disorders even in their progeny at later parts of their lives. This again reiterates the fact that the health status of the parents is equally important for the wellbeing of their children too.