Prospects for epigenetic mechanisms of the adult metabolic syndrome after intrauterine growth restriction

Abstract

Intrauterine growth restriction are those whose birth weight lie below the 10th percentile for that gestational age. Intrauterine growth restriction increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome in later life. Epigenetic changes induced by an adverse fetal environment are strongly implicated as causes of later resisted insulin action. This review is focus on epigenetic modifications, with a focus on DNA methylation; intrauterine growth restriction and DNA methylation; epigenetic changes in key promoters induced by intrauterine growth restriction and possible interventions to describe the topic. Key words: Intrauterine growth restriction; Fetal origins of adult disease hypothesis; Epigenetics; DNA methylation