Title:Intrauterine Effects of Impaired Lipid Homeostasis in Pregnancy Diseases
Volume: 20
Issue: 18
Author(s): R. Higa and A. Jawerbaum
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Pregnancy, lipids, intrauterine growth retardation, obesity, diabetes.
Abstract: Lipids are crucial structural and bioactive components that sustain embryo, fetal and placental development and
growth. Intrauterine development can be disturbed by several diseases that impair maternal lipid homeostasis and lead to
abnormal lipid concentrations in the fetal circulation. Deficiency in essential fatty acids can lead to congenital malformations
and visual and cognitive problems in the newborn. Either deficient mother-to-fetus lipid transfer or abnormal maternal-
fetal lipid metabolism can cause fetal growth restriction. On the other hand, excessive mother-to-fetus fatty acid transfer
can induce fetal overgrowth and lipid overacummulation in different fetal organs and tissues. The placenta plays a
fundamental role in the transfer of lipid moieties to the fetal compartment and is affected by maternal diseases associated
with impaired lipid homeostasis. Postnatal consequences may be evident in the neonatal period or later in life. Indeed,
both defects and excess of different lipid species can lead to the intrauterine programming of metabolic and cardiovascular
diseases in the offspring. This review summarizes the lipid impairments induced by different pathologies, including placental
insufficiency, malnutrition, obesity and diabetes, and their consequent developmental defects.
