Risk of disease starts in the womb
4 July 2008
In a review published in the New England Journal of Medicine a group of researchers from the University of Southampton have argued that the risk of developing one of the world’s many non-infectious diseases may begin in the womb.
Contributing author, Professor Cyrus Cooper, Director of the MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre in Southampton said:
‘‘ In addition to the effects of genes and lifestyle choices, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis are all chronic diseases that could be influenced by what happens during the early stages of human development.
‘‘Learning more about how the environment in the womb influences risk of disease in later life is essential to the future health of the world’s population.’’
Epigenetics is the study of factors that influence a cell, organ or whole individual without altering its DNA. Epigenetic changes can also influence which genes are expressed and when. The review details how such epigenetic influences can determine the risk of disease in later life while the foetus is developing in the womb.
Professor Mark Hanson, an academic at the University of Southampton and one of the paper’s contributors, said:
“Because life is changing so fast in terms of diet, physical activity and social structure, today’s babies will increasingly be unable to match their development to the modern world. This means that chronic diseases will become even more common and start earlier in our lives.’’
The review highlights the fact that changing lifestyle as an adult will do little to allay these risks. By studying how the environment in the womb and in infancy affects the way genes function the researchers hope to be able to identify babies and children who may be at risk of disease. Understanding what increases risk may also lead to new approaches to therapy.
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