Molecular Basis of Early Childhood Obesity Programming by Intrauterine Growth Restriction
The molecular mechanisms underlying developmental programming of childhood obesity remain poorly understood. Here, the investigators address major questions about early childhood obesity programming by studying CD3+ T-cells from intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) newborns who have an increased risk for obesity and other metabolic disorders in adult life.
• Healthy singleton term intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants whose mothers are followed by the Obstetric Department of Montefiore Medical Center and who deliver at the Weiler Division of Montefiore Medical Center. Infants will be classified as IUGR if birth weight is \<10th percentile for gestational age and gender based on World Health Organization (WHO) growth curves. Infants will be classified as AGA if birth weight percentile is \>10th and \<90th percentile
• Reproductive age women, healthy enough to achieve pregnancy
• Deliver a single healthy live term infant at ≥37 weeks' gestational age (GA)
• All patients must be informed of the investigational nature of this study and must sign and give written informed consent in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines