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CPNR 2002-2008 |
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| Home >> Fetal & Neonatal Growth and Development |
Fetal & Neonatal Growth and Development
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Pregnancy does not end with
the first trimester, but continues as a persistent interplay
between mother and fetus through until birth and beyond. A
major role is played by the establishment of a fully functional
placenta early in pregnancy. Recent research shows that events
early in pregnancy may effect even the lives of adult individuals.
Originating in England (Barker & Fall, 1993), it has been
demonstrated that a low birth weight to placenta weight ratio
is associated with a high frequency of hypertension and type
II diabetes later in adult life. Though the statistical evidence
is convincing, the mechanisms underlying this pathological
development are far from understood.
Preeclampsia and intrauterine growth
restriction are still major threats
to the unborn child (and the mother)
for which we still have no true understanding
or treatment. The refinement and development
of new diagnostic tools to address
the problem of how to detect and quantify
the decreased margin of safety an affected
fetus has to live with is an important
goal of this focus group. |
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