Reduced intima media thickness in adults after prenatal exposure to the Dutch famine

• Published in: Atherosclerosis 2007-08, Vol.193 (2), p.421-427
• Main Authors: Painter, R.C, de Rooij, S.R, Hutten, B.A, Bossuyt, P.M.M, de Groot, E, Osmond, C, Barker, D.J.P, Bleker, O.P, Roseboom, T.J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Biological and medical sciences; Birth weight; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood Vessels - diagnostic imaging; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular; Cardiovascular system; Carotid; Carotid Arteries; Coronary Disease - etiology; Coronary heart disease; Famine; Female; Femoral Artery; Fetal Growth Retardation - etiology; Fetal Nutrition Disorders; Heart; Humans; Infant, Low Birth Weight - physiology; Infant, Newborn; Intima media thickness; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Nutrition; Pregnancy; Prenatal; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Risk Factors; Starvation - complications; Tunica Intima - diagnostic imaging; Tunica Media - diagnostic imaging; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Ultrasonography; World War II
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2006.07.009

Abstract Background Restricted prenatal growth is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality. We studied the effects of exposure to famine during gestation on intima media thickness (IMT) in later life. Methods and results We studied 730 people aged 58 years who were born as term singletons around the time of the 1944–45 Dutch famine. Persons exposed to famine during gestation ( n = 293) had reduced carotid artery IMT compared to people who had not been exposed to famine in utero ( n = 437) (mean 0.71 mm, S.D. 0.16 mm compared to 0.75 mm, S.D. 0.15 mm, sex adjusted p = 0.001). Femoral artery IMT was also thinner among people exposed to famine during gestation compared to people unexposed in utero (mean 0.64 mm, S.D. 0.20 mm, compared to 0.68 mm, S.D. 0.24), although the difference did not achieve statistical significance. Conclusion Exposure to famine in utero may reduce IMT. However, it does not reduce the risk of coronary heart disease among famine exposed people.