Adverse maternal factors lead to placental dysfunction which mostly results in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), affecting 5-10% of all pregnancies. In turn, IUGR is known to be associated with an increased perinatal mortality and morbidity, with survivors having a high likelihood of cardiovascular, metabolic and neurological disorders. IUGR affects the offspring even over several generations which is known as fetal programming.
A plethora of maternal insults that may seriously affect fetal growth and wellbeing of the offspring have been identified (e.g. pregnancy diseases, eating disorders, infection/inflammation and hormonal imbalance). The lifelong burden of chronic diseases derived from maternal insults leading to IUGR has a great impact on individuals and society, and adequate diagnostic approaches as well as therapeutic interventions are lacking. It is known that placental dysfunction is the key link between adverse maternal factors and detrimental fetal outcome. Currently, it is impossible to predict which maternal insult could lead to a defined placental dysfunction resulting in a specific disease, or whether various insults affect similar molecular pathways and lead to fetal programming.
With this Research Topic collection we would like to bring together studies from clinical and biomedical researchers who have an interest in detection and diagnosis of IUGR as well as related cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with placental and organ injury. The Topic is open to reviews and original articles that cover and link this broad topic about maternal insults as causes of an altered placental functioning (IUGR) leading to adverse fetal/offspring/infants development with the focus on neurological and/or cardiovascular dysfunctions.
Studies of genetic and/or epigenetic hallmarks, cellular tracers, cell biological alterations, and medical imaging, as possible diagnostic markers to predict patients at risk or target molecules of signalling pathways that could be candidates for future intervention are welcomed.
We hope that the concentrated presentation of this Research Topic strengthen the awareness of this neglected topic to a broad scientific community.
Please note that the Topic Editors will be present at the European Workshop on Fetal Growth Restriction in Prato 4.th-7.th of July: http://hudson.org.au/news/events/fetal-growth-restriction/
Adverse maternal factors lead to placental dysfunction which mostly results in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), affecting 5-10% of all pregnancies. In turn, IUGR is known to be associated with an increased perinatal mortality and morbidity, with survivors having a high likelihood of cardiovascular, metabolic and neurological disorders. IUGR affects the offspring even over several generations which is known as fetal programming.
A plethora of maternal insults that may seriously affect fetal growth and wellbeing of the offspring have been identified (e.g. pregnancy diseases, eating disorders, infection/inflammation and hormonal imbalance). The lifelong burden of chronic diseases derived from maternal insults leading to IUGR has a great impact on individuals and society, and adequate diagnostic approaches as well as therapeutic interventions are lacking. It is known that placental dysfunction is the key link between adverse maternal factors and detrimental fetal outcome. Currently, it is impossible to predict which maternal insult could lead to a defined placental dysfunction resulting in a specific disease, or whether various insults affect similar molecular pathways and lead to fetal programming.
With this Research Topic collection we would like to bring together studies from clinical and biomedical researchers who have an interest in detection and diagnosis of IUGR as well as related cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with placental and organ injury. The Topic is open to reviews and original articles that cover and link this broad topic about maternal insults as causes of an altered placental functioning (IUGR) leading to adverse fetal/offspring/infants development with the focus on neurological and/or cardiovascular dysfunctions.
Studies of genetic and/or epigenetic hallmarks, cellular tracers, cell biological alterations, and medical imaging, as possible diagnostic markers to predict patients at risk or target molecules of signalling pathways that could be candidates for future intervention are welcomed.
We hope that the concentrated presentation of this Research Topic strengthen the awareness of this neglected topic to a broad scientific community.
Please note that the Topic Editors will be present at the European Workshop on Fetal Growth Restriction in Prato 4.th-7.th of July: http://hudson.org.au/news/events/fetal-growth-restriction/
