Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide in both adult and childhood populations. In Canada, more than 26% of children aged between 2 and 17 years old are overweight or obese and at high risk for obesity-related metabolic disorders (diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia). The fetal intra-uterine environment appears to be an important determinant of childhood obesity (fetal programming theory). In line with these observations, numerous studies have shown that pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) could expose the offspring to long-term increased risk for obesity, diabetes and related chronic diseases. However, the mechanisms linking an exposure to a detrimental fetal environment, such as GDM, to chronic diseases are poorly understood. As the prevalence of GDM in Canada is ranging between 6.5 and 18%, there is a need to understand these mechanisms. Past observations suggest that epigenetic factors may be involved in this phenomenon. Epigenetics can be compared to switches that mark and control the way genetic information is translated into biological processes and diseases. It can either turn genes on or off depending on the environmental factors and stressors to which an individual is exposed. The aim of my project is thus to study the impact of GDM on newborn epigenetic profiles and to determine whether they are associated with newborn health indicators. To achieve my objective, I will deeply analyze, with highly technological approaches, cord blood samples of newborns which were exposed or not to GDM. This study will contribute to the understanding of the role of epigenetics in the development of obesity and associated diseases such as diabetes. Moreover, these results could be used to instigate better maternal care program thereby decreasing fetal exposure to a detrimental environment, lowering newborns risk to develop obesity and associated disorders in child or adulthood