Maternal diseases during pregnancy and the risk of severe cardiovascular diseases up to middle-age in the offspring

Description

The burden of cardiovascular diseases continues to increase despite considerable achievements in prevention and treatment. New insights into the development of the disease are needed. According to the theory of the fetal origins of health and disease, adverse conditions in utero may program the offspring’ s neuroendocrine and metabolic activity and may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the project is to investigate whether specific maternal diseases during pregnancy are associated with increased risks of cardiovascular diseases in the offspring later in life. Data on health and socioeconomic factors in children, parents and other relatives is obtained through linkage to health and socioeconomic registers. Our findings may provide new opportunities for prevention very early in life to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases.