title: Long term respiratory consequences of intrauterine growth restriction.
abstract: Epidemiological studies demonstrate that in-utero growth restriction and low birth weight are associated with impaired lung function and increased respiratory morbidity from infancy, throughout childhood and into adulthood. Chronic restriction of nutrients and/or oxygen during late pregnancy causes abnormalities in the airways and lungs of offspring, including smaller numbers of enlarged alveoli with thicker septal walls and basement membranes. The structural abnormalities and impaired lung function seen soon after birth persist or even progress with age. These changes are likely to cause lung symptomology through life and hasten lung aging.
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Experimental Medicine Academic Unit, University of Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Katharine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pike
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jane Pillow
authors.forename: Jane S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lucas
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009929:Organ Size; D011247:Pregnancy; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange