scholarly journals Pakistan Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) Society: addressing the ‘DO’ component of DOHaD

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
pp. 141-143
Author(s):  
N. Mohammed ◽  
R. Nuruddin ◽  
A. Shoukat Ali
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Programming ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Learning Disorders ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Early Screening ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
The Life Course

AbstractAdverse intrauterine environment could serve as an important stimulus for postnatal altered health status and for increased susceptibility to long-term non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The notion is now recognized as the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), which was first proposed by Sir David Barker. Since then, several scientific disciplines have strived to measure the magnitude of the early fetal programming and later risk of diseases. Pakistan, with striking figures of morbidity and mortality from NCDs, is currently tackling with double burden of diseases and requires planned efforts to counteract the threat of NCDs. Considering the growing needs and available evidences, Pakistan DOHaD Society was officially instigated in September 2016. The Society aims to explicitly address the association of life in utero with future health and disease and to endorse early screening and interventions to reduce the burden of NCDs, mental health issues and learning disorders along the life course. It has shown significant progress toward investigating the influence of adverse in utero environment such as diabetes, maternal under-nutrition and pre-eclampsia on fetal programming under two major research lines, that is, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular programming. The Society has been successful in disseminating its research findings through several esteemed international scientific conferences. Pakistan DOHaD Society encourages scientific community for collaborative research aimed at improving the quality of life during early childhood, adolescence and adulthood through provision of appropriate pre-pregnancy and antenatal interventions targeted to address at-risk in utero conditions.

scholarly journals Developmental origins of health and disease: experimental and human evidence of fetal programming for metabolic syndrome

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 405-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
M L de Gusmão Correia ◽  
A M Volpato ◽  
M B Águila ◽  
C A Mandarim-de-Lacerda
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Fetal Programming ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Health And Disease

scholarly journals Distal mediator-enriched, placental transcriptome-wide analyses illustrate the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arjun Bhattacharya ◽  
Anastasia N. Freedman ◽  
Vennela Avula ◽  
Rebeca Harris ◽  
Weifang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Association Studies ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Functional Validation ◽  
Intrauterine Environment ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Genomic Regulation ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Omic Data ◽  
Trait Associations

ABSTRACTAs the master regulator of the intrauterine environment, the placenta is core to the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) but is understudied in relation to tissue-specific gene and trait regulation. We performed distal mediator-enriched transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) for 40 health traits across 5 physiological categories, using gene expression models trained with multi-omic data from the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborn Study (N = 272). At P < 2.5 × 10−6, we detected 248 gene-trait associations (GTAs) across 176 genes, mostly for metabolic and neonatal traits and enriched for cell growth and immunological pathways. Of these GTAs, 89 showed significant mediation through genetic variants distal to the gene, identifying potential targets for functional validation. Functional validation of a mediator gene (EPS15) in human placenta-derived JEG-3 trophoblasts resulted in increased expression of its predicted targets, SPATA13 and FAM214A, both associated with the trait of waist-hip ratio in TWAS. These results illustrate the profound health impacts of placental genetic and genomic regulation in developmental programming across the life course.

scholarly journals Metabolomics in the developmental origins of obesity and its cardiometabolic consequences

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. F. Hivert ◽  
W. Perng ◽  
S. M. Watkins ◽  
C. S. Newgard ◽  
L. C. Kenny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Excess Adiposity ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Analytical Approaches ◽  
Review Current

In this review, we discuss the potential role of metabolomics to enhance understanding of obesity-related developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). We first provide an overview of common techniques and analytical approaches to help interested investigators dive into this relatively novel field. Next, we describe how metabolomics may capture exposures that are notoriously difficult to quantify, and help to further refine phenotypes associated with excess adiposity and related metabolic sequelae over the life course. Together, these data can ultimately help to elucidate mechanisms that underlie fetal metabolic programming. Finally, we review current gaps in knowledge and identify areas where the field of metabolomics is likely to provide insights into mechanisms linked to DOHaD in human populations.

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease and Sustainable Development Goals: mapping the way forward

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Kajee ◽  
E. Sobngwi ◽  
A. Macnab ◽  
A. S. Daar
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Future Health ◽  
United Nations General ◽  
Development Agenda ◽  
Synergistic Approach ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Considerable Benefit

In this paper, meant to stimulate debate, we argue that there is considerable benefit in approaching together the implementation of two seemingly separate recent developments. First, on the global development agenda, we have the United Nations General Assembly’s 2015 finalized list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Several of the SDGs are related to health. Second, the field of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) has garnered enough compelling evidence demonstrating that early exposures in life affect not only future health, but that the effects of that exposure can be transmitted across generations – necessitating that we begin to focus on prevention. We argue that implementing the SDGs and DOHaD together will be beneficial in several ways; and will require attending to multiple, complex and multidisciplinary approaches as we reach the point of translating science to policy to impact. Here, we begin by providing the context for our work and making the case for a mutually reinforcing, synergistic approach to implementing SDGs and DOHaD, particularly in Africa. To do this, we initiate discussion via an early mapping of some of the overlapping considerations between SDGs and DOHaD.

Translating developmental origins of health and disease in practice: health care providers’ perspectives

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica L. Molinaro ◽  
Marilyn Evans ◽  
Timothy R.H. Regnault ◽  
Barbra de Vrijer
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Knowledge Translation ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Health And Disease

Abstract Currently, there is limited knowledge on how health care providers perceive and understand the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), which may impact how they inform patients and their families throughout the perinatal period. This qualitative descriptive study explored if and how health care providers counsel on in utero programming and future health outcomes with parents, both preconception and during pregnancy. One-on-one, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 health care providers from varying health disciplines including obstetrics and gynaecology, midwifery, paediatrics, endocrinology and internal medicine. Audiotaped interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: Knowledge about DOHaD, Counselling on DOHaD in Practice Settings and Impact of DOHaD on Health. Health care providers not only expressed excitement over the potential health benefits of DOHaD counselling but also indicated barriers to knowledge translation, including a lack of knowledge among providers and a disconnect between basic scientists and practitioners. All health care providers expressed concerns on how and when to introduce the concept of DOHaD when counselling patients and called for the development of practice guidelines. Counselling on DOHaD needs to be framed in a way that is empowering, minimising the potential of coercion and guilt. More interaction and collaboration are needed between health care providers and researchers to identify strategies to support knowledge translation generated from DOHaD research into practice settings.

scholarly journals The application of in utero magnetic resonance imaging in the study of the metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of the developmental origins of health and disease

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Stephanie A. Giza ◽  
Simran Sethi ◽  
Lauren M. Smith ◽  
Mary-Ellen E. T. Empey ◽  
Lindsay E. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Fetal Development ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Organ Development ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Health And Disease

Abstract Observing fetal development in utero is vital to further the understanding of later-life diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a tool for obtaining a wealth of information about fetal growth, development, and programming not previously available using other methods. This review provides an overview of MRI techniques used to investigate the metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis. These methods add to the understanding of the developing fetus by examining fetal growth and organ development, adipose tissue and body composition, fetal oximetry, placental microstructure, diffusion, perfusion, flow, and metabolism. MRI assessment of fetal growth, organ development, metabolism, and the amount of fetal adipose tissue could give early indicators of abnormal fetal development. Noninvasive fetal oximetry can accurately measure placental and fetal oxygenation, which improves current knowledge on placental function. Additionally, measuring deficiencies in the placenta’s transport of nutrients and oxygen is critical for optimizing treatment. Overall, the detailed structural and functional information provided by MRI is valuable in guiding future investigations of DOHaD.

scholarly journals Health in Transition: Translating developmental origins of health and disease science to improve future health in Africa

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Health And Disease

At STIAS, the ‘Health in Transition’ theme includes a programme to address the epidemic rise in the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, coronary heart disease and stroke in Africa. The aim is to advance awareness, research capacity and knowledge translation of science related to the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) as a means of preventing NCDs in future generations. Application of DOHaD science is a promising avenue for prevention, as this field is identifying how health and nutrition from conception through the first 1 000 days of life can dramatically impact a developing individual’s future life course, and specifically predicate whether or not they are programmed in infancy to develop NCDs in later life. Prevention of NCDs is an essential strategy as, if unchecked, the burden of caring for a growing and ageing population with these diseases threatens to consume entire health budgets, as well as negatively impact the quality of life of millions. Africa in particular needs specific, focussed endeavors to realize the maximal preventive potential of DOHaD science, and a means of generating governmental and public awareness about the links between health in infancy and disease in adult life. This volume summarizes the expertise and experience of a leading group of international scientists led by Abdallah Daar brought together at STIAS as part of the ‘Health in Transition’ programme.

scholarly journals Two-Eyed Seeing and developmental origins of health and disease studies with indigenous partners

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Eric N. Liberda ◽  
Aleksandra M. Zuk ◽  
Roger Davey ◽  
Ruby Edwards-Wheesk ◽  
Leonard J. S. Tsuji
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Partnership Model ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Health And Disease

Abstract Globally, mortality of Indigenous persons is greater than that of their non-Indigenous counterparts, which has been shown to be disproportionately attributable to non-communicable diseases. The historically subordinate position that Indigenous Knowledge (IK) held in comparison to Western science has shifted over the last several decades, with the credibility and importance of IK now being internationally recognized. Herein, we examine how Marsahall’s (2014) Two-Eyed Seeing can foster collaborative and culturally relevant Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) studies for health and well-being by using ‘..the best in Indigenous ways of knowing…[and] the best in Western (or mainstream) ways of knowing…and learn to use both these eyes for the benefit of all.’ At its core, Two-Eyed Seeing also includes the principles of ownership, control, access and possession, and Community-Based Participatory Research, which further reinforces the critical role of Indigenous peoples taking active roles in DOHaD research. Additionally, we also present a partnership model for working with Indigenous communities that includes the principles of respect, equity and empowerment. As researchers begin to fill the gap in Indigenous health, we outline how Two-Eyed Seeing should form the basis of DOHaD studies involving Indigenous communities. This model can be used to develop and guide projects that result in robust and meaningful participatory partnerships that have impactful uptake of research findings.

scholarly journals Analyzing Policies Through a DOHaD Lens: What Can We Learn?

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2906 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Goodman ◽  
Janne Boone-Heinonen ◽  
Dawn Richardson ◽  
Sarah Andrea ◽  
Lynne Messer
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Policy Impact ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Health Trajectories ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Life Course

Social, health, and environmental policies are critical tools for providing the conditions needed for healthy populations. However, current policy analyses fall short of capturing their full potential impacts across the life course and from generation to generation. We argue that the field of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), a conceptual and research framework positing that early life experiences significantly affect health trajectories across the lifespan and into future generations, provides an important lens through which to analyze social policies. To illustrate this point, we synthesized evidence related to policies from three domains—family leave, nutrition, and housing—to examine the health implications for multiple generations. We selected these policy domains because they represent increasing distance from a reproductive health focus, each with a growing evidence base to support a potential impact on pregnant women and their offspring. Each of these examples represents an opportunity to extend our understanding of policy impact using a DOHaD lens, taking into account the potential life course and intergenerational effects that have previously been overlooked.

Behavioral epigenetics and the developmental origins of child mental health disorders

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 395-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. M. Lester ◽  
C. J. Marsit ◽  
E. Conradt ◽  
C. Bromer ◽  
J. F. Padbury
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Fetal Programming ◽  
Child Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Evo Devo

Advances in understanding the molecular basis of behavior through epigenetic mechanisms could help explain the developmental origins of child mental health disorders. However, the application of epigenetic principles to the study of human behavior is a relatively new endeavor. In this paper we discuss the ‘Developmental Origins of Health and Disease’ including the role of fetal programming. We then review epigenetic principles related to fetal programming and the recent application of epigenetics to behavior. We focus on the neuroendocrine system and develop a simple heuristic stress-related model to illustrate how epigenetic changes in placental genes could predispose the infant to neurobehavioral profiles that interact with postnatal environmental factors potentially leading to mental health disorders. We then discuss from an ‘Evo-Devo’ perspective how some of these behaviors could also be adaptive. We suggest how elucidation of these mechanisms can help to better define risk and protective factors and populations at risk.

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