Obesity and the placenta: A consideration of nutrient exchange mechanisms in relation to aberrant fetal growth

Abstract The obesity epidemic, including childhood obesity, is rapidly gaining strength as one of the most significant challenges to the health of the global community in the 21st Century. The proportion of women who are obese at the beginning of pregnancy is also increasing. These women and their b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Placenta (Eastbourne) 2011-01, Vol.32 (1), p.1-7
Main Authors: Higgins, L, Greenwood, S.L, Wareing, M, Sibley, C.P, Mills, T.A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adipokine
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology
Female
Fetal Development - physiology
Fetal Diseases - epidemiology
Fetal Diseases - etiology
Food
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Growth
Humans
Internal Medicine
Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Maternal-Fetal Exchange - physiology
Nutrient transport
Obesity
Obesity - epidemiology
Obesity - metabolism
Obesity - physiopathology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Placenta
Placenta - metabolism
Placenta - physiology
Placentation
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications - epidemiology
Pregnancy Complications - metabolism
Pregnancy Complications - physiopathology
Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Vascular function
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Summary:Abstract The obesity epidemic, including childhood obesity, is rapidly gaining strength as one of the most significant challenges to the health of the global community in the 21st Century. The proportion of women who are obese at the beginning of pregnancy is also increasing. These women and their babies are at high risk of pregnancy complications, and of programming for metabolic disease in adult life. In particular, maternal obesity is associated with aberrant fetal growth, encompassing both growth restricted and large for gestational age, or macrosomic fetuses. This article considers the potential effect of obesity and adipose tissue on placental nutrient exchange mechanisms in relation to aberrant fetal growth. The review emphasizes the dearth of work on this topic to date despite its importance to current and future healthcare of the population.
ISSN:0143-4004
1532-3102
DOI:10.1016/j.placenta.2010.09.019