TY - JOUR
T1 - Prenatal origins of obstructive airway disease: starting on the wrong trajectory?
AU - Wang, Kimberley C. W.
AU - James, Alan
AU - Donovan, Graham M.
AU - Noble, Peter B.
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - From the results of well-performed population health studies, we now have excellent data demonstrating that deficits in adult lung function may be present early in life, possibly as a result of developmental disorders, incurring a lifelong risk of obstructive airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Suboptimal fetal development results in intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight at term (an outcome distinct from preterm complications), which are associated with subsequent obstructive disease. Numerous prenatal exposures and disorders compromise fetal development and these are summarized herein. Various physiological, structural, and mechanical abnormalities may result from prenatal disruption, including changes to airway smooth muscle structure–function, goblet cell biology, airway stiffness, geometry of the bronchial tree, lung parenchymal structure and mechanics, respiratory skeletal muscle contraction, and pulmonary inflammation. The literature therefore supports the need for early life intervention to prevent or correct growth defects, which may include simple nutritional or antioxidant therapy.
AB - From the results of well-performed population health studies, we now have excellent data demonstrating that deficits in adult lung function may be present early in life, possibly as a result of developmental disorders, incurring a lifelong risk of obstructive airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Suboptimal fetal development results in intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight at term (an outcome distinct from preterm complications), which are associated with subsequent obstructive disease. Numerous prenatal exposures and disorders compromise fetal development and these are summarized herein. Various physiological, structural, and mechanical abnormalities may result from prenatal disruption, including changes to airway smooth muscle structure–function, goblet cell biology, airway stiffness, geometry of the bronchial tree, lung parenchymal structure and mechanics, respiratory skeletal muscle contraction, and pulmonary inflammation. The literature therefore supports the need for early life intervention to prevent or correct growth defects, which may include simple nutritional or antioxidant therapy.
U2 - 10.1002/cphy.c230019
DO - 10.1002/cphy.c230019
M3 - Review article
C2 - 39699087
SN - 2040-4603
VL - 14
SP - 5729
EP - 5762
JO - Comprehensive Physiology
JF - Comprehensive Physiology
IS - 5
ER -