Doctors from the United States have shown that high blood pressure during pregnancy affects the activity of certain genes in the cells of the placenta in a special way. This can change the structure of their "packaging". These processes negatively affect the development of the fetus.
Increased blood pressure during pregnancy delays fetal growth and also increases the likelihood of cardiovascular disease after birth, so studying these DNA regions will help uncover the roots of early development of these ailments, writes the journal Hypertension.
The placenta is the most important part of the embryo, connecting the mother's body with the fetus. It is a kind of filter that allows nutrients, hormones and other signaling molecules to pass through. This barrier also prevents the penetration of various harmful substances and immune cells of the mother.
Disorders in the work of the placenta associated with high blood pressure, as well as with the accumulation of toxins in the woman's body, often cause miscarriages and the appearance of severe disorders in the development of the unborn baby. For example, the Zika virus crosses the placenta, destroying certain types of stem cells inside the embryo, which provokes microcephaly.
NEWS.ru previously reported that pregnant women who drink tea or coffee, even in safe amounts, are at risk of premature birth. This conclusion was made based on the results of a study by scientists from University College Dublin.
Experts led by Dr. Lin Wei Chen tracked more than 900 pregnant women who gave birth to offspring in Ireland. It turned out that if a woman drank caffeinated drinks during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, then her risk of premature birth increased.
