Finnish Study Reveals Maternal Genetic Influence on Adult Heart Health

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(IN BRIEF) The Finnish study led by Taru Tukiainen explores the link between prenatal growth conditions and adult cardiovascular health. Contrary to previous theories suggesting maternal nutrition as the primary factor, the research suggests that maternal genetic factors influencing fetal growth contribute to the child’s risk of heart disease later in life. However, these genetic predispositions only impact the child’s health when inherited. Utilizing genetic data from over 36,000 mother-child pairs, the study sheds new light on the interplay between maternal health, prenatal conditions, and offspring health outcomes. This groundbreaking research, conducted as part of the FinnGen initiative, provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between birth weight and adult disease risk.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 14-Feb-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — University of Helsinki, the oldest and largest institution of academic education in Finland, announces that in a groundbreaking Finnish study delving into the relationship between prenatal growth conditions and adult cardiovascular disease has shed new light on the subject, emphasizing the influence of shared genetic factors between mothers and their offspring.

Traditionally, the correlation between birth weight and later-life health issues has been extensively explored. While previous research suggested that individuals born with lower birth weights faced heightened risks of hypertension and heart disease in adulthood, the precise biological mechanisms underlying this association remained elusive.

Led by Academy Research Fellow Taru Tukiainen, a team of researchers embarked on a quest to unravel this mystery. Contrary to prevailing theories implicating maternal nutrition during pregnancy, their findings unveiled a different narrative. Maternal genetic factors impacting fetal growth were found to exert a birth weight-independent influence on the child’s susceptibility to heart disease later in life. However, crucially, these genetic predispositions only manifested as health risks when inherited by the child.

Jaakko Leinonen, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) at the University of Helsinki, elaborates, “Certain maternal genes influence the growth conditions of the child in the womb and consequently the birth weight of the child. The child in turn inherits a copy of these genes from the mother. When we studied the impact of these birth weight genes on children’s morbidity later in life, we found that small changes in the baby’s growth before birth due to the mother are unlikely to have a major impact on the child’s risk of developing the disease as an adult. Instead, it seems that a child’s own genes play a much more important role in determining his or her future health risks.”

The study, drawing upon genetic data from over 36,000 mother-child pairs enrolled in the expansive Finnish genomics initiative FinnGen, marks a significant leap forward in understanding the interplay between maternal health, prenatal conditions, and offspring health outcomes.

Dr. Taru Tukiainen, the lead researcher, underscores the significance of their approach, stating, “Our research method, which uses genetic data from both mothers and their children at the same time, has proven to be a very effective way to find out how maternal health and the conditions of the baby in the womb can affect the health of the child. We can be proud that here in Finland we have been able to produce a globally unique research dataset like FinnGen, which allows us to find solutions to research questions that have been challenging to address before.”

As the largest study of its kind to date, this research paves the way for further investigations into the impacts of extreme birth weights on adult disease risk. Dr. Tukiainen expresses pride in the Finnish research community’s achievements, crediting the pioneering FinnGen initiative for providing an unparalleled platform to address complex scientific inquiries.

Original publication: Disentangling the link between maternal influences on birth weight and disease risk in 36,211 genotyped mother-child pairs. Jaakko T. Leinonen, FinnGen, Matti Pirinen, Taru Tukiainen. Commun Biol 7, 175 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-05872-9

More information:

Taru Tuulia Tukiainen
Academy Research Fellow
INSTITUTE FOR MOLECULAR MEDICINE FINLAND
taru.tukiainen@helsinki.fi

Jaakko Leinonen
Postdoctoral researcher
INSTITUTE FOR MOLECULAR MEDICINE FINLAND
jaakko.t.leinonen@helsinki.fi
0294125748

SOURCE: University of Helsinki