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The implications of fetal programming of glomerular number and renal function

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Abstract

Large epidemiological studies suggest a clear relation between low birth weight and adverse renal outcomes evident as early as during childhood. Such adverse outcomes may include glomerular disease, hypertension, and renal failure. Data from autopsy material and from experimental models suggest that reduction in nephron number via diminished nephrogenesis may be a major mechanism, and factors that lead to this reduction are incompletely elucidated. Other mechanisms appear to be renal (e.g., via the intrarenal renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system) and nonrenal (e.g. changes in endothelial function). It also appears likely that the outcomes of fetal programming may be influenced postnatally, for example, by the amount of nutrients given at critical times.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bonn, Germany; Sonderforschungsbereich 423. The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, Loschgestrasse 15, 91054, Erlangen, Germany

    Jörg Dötsch & Christian Plank

  2. Department of Nephropathology, University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany

    Kerstin Amann

  3. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Julie Ingelfinger

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  1. Jörg Dötsch
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  2. Christian Plank
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Correspondence to Jörg Dötsch.

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Dötsch, J., Plank, C., Amann, K. et al. The implications of fetal programming of glomerular number and renal function. J Mol Med 87, 841–848 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-009-0507-7

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