title: Maternal obesity and immune dysregulation in mother and infant: A review of the evidence.
abstract: Obesity is a worldwide public health epidemic. Increasing numbers of reproductive-age women enter pregnancy overweight or obese and there is now convincing data that this adverse in utero environment impacts both fetal and lifelong development. Epidemiologic evidence has shown a simultaneous increase in obesity and asthma rates in developed countries and maternal obesity is a risk factor for infant asthma and wheeze. Here we review the state of research linking maternal obesity and immunomodulation in both mother and infant, with specific attention to the relationship between maternal obesity and offspring asthma. We will also propose several different mechanisms by which maternal obesity may predispose offspring to this chronic condition and briefly summarize interventions that have been trialed to limit this association.
authors.affiliation: Tufts University School of Medicine, 145 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111, USA. Electronic address: Giulia.s.rizzo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Giulia S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.affiliation: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: Ssen2@partners.org.
authors.forename: Sarbattama
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sen
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D009765:Obesity / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000276:immunology*
keywords: Asthma; Fetal programming; Immune dysregulation; Inflammation; Maternal obesity