Impact of the intrauterine environment on future reproductive and metabolic health

Abstract

Key content As survival of babies born following high-risk pregnancies continues to increase globally, understanding the long-term impacts of suboptimal intrauterine environments on future health becomes increasingly important. The intrauterine environment is a key influence on later metabolic health, particularly the tendency to later-life obesity and dyslipidaemia. Recent evidence shows that female reproductive function is also highly sensitive to the influence of the early life environment. Various suboptimal intrauterine environments are linked to adverse reproductive and metabolic outcomes, including maternal obesity, low-protein diets and chronic fetal hypoxia. Learning objectives To know that the prevalence of high-risk intrauterine environments is increasing in maternity populations because of, for example, increasing rates of maternal obesity. To be aware of the later-life health implications for the fetus when caring for women with high-risk pregnancies. To understand that children who are survivors of high-risk pregnancies are at increased risk of adverse metabolic health outcomes and more work is required to determine optimal follow-up.