Overview
The molecular mechanisms underlying developmental programming of childhood obesity remain poorly understood. Here, the investigators address major questions about early childhood obesity programming by studying CD3+ T-cells from intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) newborns who have an increased risk for obesity and other metabolic disorders in adult life.
Description
Epidemiological studies of multiple cohorts suggest an increased risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease-related death and type 2 diabetes in low birth weight infants. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying developmental programming of childhood obesity remain poorly understood. Alterations in DNA methylation during fetal life have been proposed to be one of the mechanisms that regulate this phenotype. Here, the investigators address major questions about early childhood obesity programming by studying purified subpopulations of CD3+ T-cells from intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) newborns who have an increased risk for obesity and other metabolic disorders in adult life. The investigators will correlate altered CD3+ T-cell DNA methylation profiles in cord and peripheral blood samples and functional changes in CD3+ T-cells with adiposity in childhood.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Healthy singleton term IUGR and AGA infants whose mothers are followed by the Obstetric Department of Montefiore Medical Center and who deliver at the Weiler Division of Montefiore Medical Center.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Multiple gestation, maternal depression, maternal renal disease, infants in extremis, Apgar score <7 at 5 min and umbilical artery pH ≤7.25, chromosomal/ congenital abnormalities, congenital infections and inborn errors of metabolism. We will also exclude infants born to mothers with a history of maternal smoking in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy and maternal gestational diabetes/T2D.