Medizinische Universität Graz - Research portal

Navigation/Search

Abstract: Perinatal nutrition is known to affect the health and development of the newborn child. A foetus that suffers from intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) is more likely to suffer from cardiac or diabtetic problems in later life, an effect known as "metabolic programming". Particular fatty acids are required for development but the optimum composition of dietary lipids remains controversial. The project will compare normal and IUGR pregnancies in terms of matter, neonatal and placenta fatty acid profiles. Placental transfer of fatty acids in vivo and the funcional ability of trophoblasts in vitro will be measured. The effects of dietary fats, on maternal endocrine status, oxidative stress, milk composition, placental function and on the development of IUGR and normal foetuses in utero (or ex utero in the case of the pretern infants fed intravenously) will be assessed. Human's studies will be complemented with appropriate rat and pig animal-models. The results will be used to formulate improved dietary recommendations for mothers throughout pregnancy and lactation.

Project partners: Universitätskinderklinik München, Germany; University of Milano, Italy; University of San Pablo, Spain