Embryonic health: new insights, mHealth and personalised patient care
Régine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen A and Eric A. P. Steegers A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, dr. Molewaterplein 50, 3015 GE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
B Corresponding author. Email: r.steegers@erasmusmc.nl
This paper is also based on; Steegers E.A.P. Embryonic health and preconception care: importance for current and future generations. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2014;158:A7373 (in Dutch).
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 27(4) 712-715 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD14386
Submitted: 12 October 2014 Accepted: 18 February 2015 Published: 16 March 2015
Abstract
The worldwide epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCD), including obesity, is a burden to which poor lifestyles contribute significantly. Events in early life may enhance susceptibility to NCD, with transmission into succeeding generations. This may also explain, in part, why interventions in adulthood are less effective to reduce NCD risk. New insights reveal that the early embryo, in particular, is extremely sensitive to signals from gametes, trophoblastic tissue and periconception maternal lifestyles. Embryonic size and growth as determinants of embryonic health seem to impact future health. A relatively small embryo for gestational age is associated with pregnancy complications, as well as with the risk of early features of NCD in childhood. Although personal lifestyles are modifiable, they are extremely difficult to change. Therefore, adopting a life course approach from the periconception period onwards and integrated into patient care with short-term reproductive health benefits may have important implications for future prevention of NCD. The current reproductive population is used to Internet and social media. Therefore, they can be reached via mobile phone (mHealth) platforms that provide personalised lifestyle (pre)pregnancy programs. This will offer opportunities and possibly great benefits for the health of current and succeeding generations.
Additional keywords: behaviour, embryo, lifestyle, nutrition, pregnancy.
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