Overview | Mother Child Health Department

Maternal Nutrition and Child health

The theme of our research is suboptimal maternal nutrition during critical periods of development influences developmental pathways.

Which leads to changes in placental structure, gene expression patterns and physiological functions
Thus increases the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes (Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy, Preterm birth, Low Birth Weight, Gestational Diabetes)
Leading to Increased Risk for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Later Life
Our department focuses on both human and animal studies

Our department has established a cohort of ~2500 pregnant women (normal; hypertensive; preterm and gestational diabetes) which were followed across the pregnancy
Maternal blood, placenta and cord samples were collected for biochemical and epigenetic assessments
Maternal information on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical history, anthropometry, nutritional intakes and physical activities were collected
After delivery children of these mothers were also followed till adolescence for anthropometry and cognitive assessments

Animal models are also used to validate and understand role of maternal nutrition and mechanisms leading to fetal programming for adult diseases
Animals are used to understand epigenetic pathways, risk of diseases and their cognitive performances

Determining the link between maternal nutrition, pregnancy outcome and cardiometabolic and neurodevelopmental risk in children at adult age
Identification of biomarkers to determine risk for adverse pregnancy outcome
Provide clues for supplementation for better pregnancy outcome / for reducing risk for diseases