title: From the α to the ω-3: Breaking the link between impaired fetal growth and adult cardiovascular disease.
abstract: Atherosclerotic vascular disease is an important cause of premature morbidity and mortality. An extensive body of epidemiologic data links impaired fetal growth, evidenced by reductions in birth weight, with a higher risk for cardiovascular disease in adulthood. This association appears to be at least partially independent of established cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. There is currently no clinically established strategy to prevent cardiovascular events secondary to being born with poor fetal growth. This review summarizes recent evidence that suggests that ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may be beneficial for this indication; in particular being associated with more marked reductions in blood pressure and subclinical atherosclerosis in people who were born with poor fetal growth, than in those with healthy birth weight. Possible mechanisms, and the evidence base required to support the implementation of dietary guidelines specific to people born with impaired fetal growth are also described.
authors.affiliation: Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise and Eating Disorders, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Michael.skilton@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Skilton
authors.affiliation: Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise and Eating Disorders, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Phang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Blood pressure; Cardiovascular disease; Fetal growth; ω-3