Intestinal dysfunctions induced by intrauterine growth retardation are associated with altered autophagy in the enteric nervous system

The intra uterine growth retardation (IUGR) is characterized by a low birth body weight (<2.5 kg) and represents 4% of births. IUGR has long term consequences on health in adulthood, with an elevated risk to develop metabolic diseases and hypertension. In this study, we examined whether IUGR alters gastrointestinal (GI) and enteric nervous system (ENS) functions during life..