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Fetal programming of renal function

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Abstract

Results from large epidemiological studies suggest a clear relation between low birth weight and adverse renal outcome evident as early as during childhood. Such adverse outcomes may include glomerular disease, hypertension, and renal failure and contribute to a phenomenon called fetal programming. Other factors potentially leading to an adverse renal outcome following fetal programming are maternal diabetes mellitus, smoking, salt overload, and use of glucocorticoids during pregnancy. However, clinical data on the latter are scarce. Here, we discuss potential underlying mechanisms of fetal programming, including reduced nephron number via diminished nephrogenesis and other renal (e.g., via the intrarenal renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system) and non-renal (e.g., changes in endothelial function) alterations. It appears likely that the outcomes of fetal programming may be influenced or modified postnatally, for example, by the amount of nutrients given at critical times.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bonn, Germany; Sonderforschungsbereich 423, TP B13 to Christian Plank and Jörg Dötsch, and TP Z2 to Kerstin Amann.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany

    Jörg Dötsch

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Erlangen–Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany

    Christian Plank

  3. Department of Nephropathology, University of Erlangen–Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany

    Kerstin Amann

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  1. Jörg Dötsch
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  2. Christian Plank
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  3. Kerstin Amann
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Correspondence to Jörg Dötsch.

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Dötsch, J., Plank, C. & Amann, K. Fetal programming of renal function. Pediatr Nephrol 27, 513–520 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-011-1781-5

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