A University of Helsinki study found that shared risk genes between mothers and children affect a child’s heart disease susceptibility regardless of birth weight. The study emphasizes genetic testing for early prevention of heart disease in children.
The recently conducted study has highlighted the link between birth weight and adult heart disease risk, underlining the importance of shared risk genes between mothers and their offspring. The long-debated molecular reasons behind this phenomena were examined in the journal Communications Biology by University of Helsinki researchers.
Studies have shown that low-birth-weight babies are more likely to develop hypertension and heart disease. Over the years, many theories have attempted to explain this correlation’s biological cause.
One theory is that poor mother nutrition during pregnancy may affect fetal metabolism, predisposing offspring to cardiovascular diseases in maturity, especially during overnutrition.
The latest findings question some of these ideas. The study found that mother genetic factors affecting fetal growth affect the child’s heart disease risk regardless of birth weight.
Lead researcher Jaakko Leinonen, a Postdoctoral Researcher at FIMM, noted that these risk genes are passed down from mother to kid. He said, “Maternal genes affect fetal growth and birth weight. The mother passes these genes to the child.”
“When we evaluated the impact of birth weight genes on children’s morbidity later in life, we found that tiny mother-induced growth alterations before birth are unlikely to significantly affect the child’s likelihood of acquiring the disease as an adult. Instead, a child’s genes seem to most strongly influence future health risks “Leinonen remarked.
Contrary to earlier ideas, the study reveals that maternal variables may not significantly affect fetal growth and heart disease risk. Instead, the child’s genetics determine health outcomes.
The research team used a novel method to separate maternal and child genetic contributions from over 36,000 mother-child pairs. Dr. Taru Tukiainen, who led the study, said this methodological innovation helped explain how maternal and prenatal health affect offspring health. “Our research method, which uses genetic data from both mothers and their children at the same time, has proven to be a very effective way to find out how maternal health and the conditions of the baby in the womb can affect the health of the child,” stated.
Despite these important findings, the study emphasizes the need for more research into birth weight and adult disease risk. Future studies will examine how being born considerably underweight and other birth weight variations affect long-term health.
Conclusion
A University of Helsinki study found that shared risk genes between mothers and their children greatly affect a child’s heart disease susceptibility, regardless of birth weight. The Communications Biology study examined genomic data from over 36,000 mother-child couples using a unique method that separates maternal and child variables. Minor maternal influences in fetal growth may not significantly affect the child’s risk of heart disease later in life. The study highlights the need for further research into the complex relationship between birth weight and adult disease risk, including the effects of being born significantly underweight and other birth weight variations on long-term health.
