Infectious diseases and immune system in infants Risk factors and consequences: The Generation R Study

Preterm birth and low birth weight are considered as important public health concerns since both are important causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality (1-3). Furthermore, these adverse birth outcomes seem to have long term consequences. Preterm birth infants are at risk for neurodevelopmental problems (4). Low birth weight infants are at risk for the development of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus (5). Several determinants of preterm birth and low birth weight have been identifi ed, including biological, genetic and socio-demographic determinants (6-8). Of the biological determinants, Chlamydia trachomatis during pregnancy may lead to low birth weight, preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes and other adverse pregnancy outcomes (9-11). However, the literature regarding the adverse eff ects of these infections yields confl icting results mainly due to diff erences in study design and population and microbiological tests employed (12-22). Laboratory testing on C. trachomatis or other urogenital infections during pregnancy is not routinely performed. Specifi c antenatal attention for urogenital symptoms, indicating a possible underlying urogenital tract infection, may be helpful in identifying women at increased risk for delivering preterm or low birth weight infants. Not much is known of the eff ects of urogenital symptoms in diff erent periods of pregnancy with pregnancy outcomes. This may be relevant for identifying critical periods during pregnancy that could be used for targeting preventive strategies

Bisphenol and phthalate exposure during pregnancy and the development of childhood lung function and asthma. The Generation R Study

Background: Fetal exposure to bisphenols and phthalates may lead to alterations in the respiratory and immune system development in children, and to adverse respiratory health. Aim: To study the associations of fetal bisphenols and phthalates exposure with lung function and asthma at age 13 years. Study design and methods: This study among 1020 children was embedded in a population-based prospective cohort study. We measured maternal urine bisphenol and phthalate concentrations in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy, and lung function by spirometry and asthma by questionnaires at age 13 years. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were applied. Results: Maternal urine bisphenol and phthalate concentrations averaged during pregnancy were not associated with childhood lung function or asthma. Associations of maternal urine bisphenol and phthalate concentrations in specific trimesters with respiratory outcomes showed that one interquartile range increase in the natural log-transformed maternal urine mono-isobutyl phthalate concentration in the second trimester was associated with a higher FEV1/FVC, but not with asthma, accounting for confounders and multiple-testing correction. Although there were associations of higher second trimester bisphenol S with a lower FVC and FEV1 in boys and girls, and of higher first trimester bisphenol S with a decreased risk of asthma in boys and an increased risk of asthma in girls, these results did not remain significant after correction for multiple testing. Results were not modified by maternal history of asthma or atopy. Conclusions: Maternal urine bisphenol and phthalate concentrations averaged or in specific trimesters during pregnancy were not strongly associated with childhood lung function and asthma at age 13 years. BPS, as a BPA substitute, tended to be associated with impaired lung function and altered risk of asthma, partly sex-dependent, but its strength was limited by a relatively low detection rate and should be queried in contemporary cohorts.</p

Invloed van DNA-methylatie op gezondheid en ziekte van kinderen

De ontwikkeling in de eerste fase van het leven is van groot belang voor de gezondheid van kinderen en volwassenen. Ongunstige invloeden in specifieke kritieke perioden tijdens de vroege ontwikkeling hebben nadelige effecten op de gezondheid op latere leeftijd. Er zijn steeds meer aanwijzingen dat vroege en permanente epigenetische veranderingen een belangrijke rol spelen in de onderliggende mechanismen. In dit artikel bespreken wij de rol van DNA-methylatie, het bekendste epigenetische mechanisme, op gezondheid en ziekte van kinderen. Wij gaan in op de achtergrond van DNA-methylatie, op factoren die hierop van invloed zijn en op gevolgen van DNA-methylatie. Onderzoek gericht op het identificeren van factoren tijdens en kort na de zwangerschap die via epigenetische mechanismen bijdragen aan de kans op ziekten, moet uiteindelijk leiden tot preventieprogramma’s gericht op de vroegste fase van het leven