Developmental origins of blood pressure abnormalities

Article Outline

• Copyright

The concept that there are developmental origins to multiple adult diseases was developed primarily from epidemiologic associations in human populations that could be tracked over time. Major factors in the regulation of growth, blood pressure, and glucose control seem to be maternal diet before conception, during pregnancy, and infant feeding practices in the early months of life. These associations come primarily from animal studies as human populations seldom have been randomized to dietary interventions during pregnancy. In this issue of The Journal, Aaltonen et al report that maternal diet during pregnancy can program infant blood pressure at 6 months of age. The observations were made following randomization of pregnant women to dietary interventions. The relationships are complex and correlate with selective components of the diet. The programming of blood pressure at 6 months is a long way from linking these results with adult diseases. However, these are early attempts to optimize long-term outcomes for the next generation.