Perinatal Programming of Childhood Asthma: Early Fetal Size, Growth Trajectory during Infancy, and Childhood Asthma Outcomes

Figure 1

Schematic diagram demonstrating how growth deceleration at different gestations with resulting “catch-up growth” may result in low, normal, or high birth weight. Insult 1 in early pregnancy results in initial growth deceleration followed by growth acceleration during mid and late pregnancy and post natal life and is associated with increased birth weight (Outcome 1). Insult 2 occurs during mid pregnancy and results in growth deceleration followed by growth acceleration during later pregnancy and infancy, associated with normal birth weight (Outcome 2). Insult 3 occurs during late pregnancy leading to with low birth weight and ensuing “catch-up growth” during infancy (Outcome 3). Outcome 4 illustrates normal growth throughout pregnancy and infancy.