Fat mums-to-be are exposing their unborn children to risk of high blood pressure, kidney disease and early death
Shock tests show babies over-exposed in the womb to a common hormone have a lifelong risk to their health
FAT mums-to-be are exposing their kids to the risk of high blood pressure, kidney disease and early death.
Shock tests show babies over-exposed in the womb to a common hormone have a lifelong risk to their health.
Obese expectant mums have higher levels of leptin, produced by fat cells to indicate fullness and important to quell appetite.
Too much leptin activates receptors in the unborn baby’s brain that regulate blood pressure, leading to a lifelong increased risk of hypertension.
High blood pressure affects more than one in four people, is one of the biggest risk factors for premature death and can harm the kidneys over time.
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In tests, mice with elevated leptin had high blood pressure and kidney damage later in life.
In the UK, about one in five women are obese when they become pregnant.
Researcher Lucilla Poston, of King’s College London, said: “We are increasingly aware of the important role played by maternal metabolic and nutritional status in the risk of adulthood disease.
“The findings need to be verified in humans.”