Targets for Early Warning and Drug Intervention for Fetal-Originated Disease

As bioinformatics and molecular genetic technologies continue to advance, coupled with the establishment of animal models simulating pregnancies, an increasing body of research has confirmed that adverse environmental exposure during pregnancy can result in abnormal development of multiple organs in offspring and heighten susceptibility to adult diseases. These include metabolic disorders, neuropsychiatric conditions, and diseases linked to the reproductive system. This chapter offers a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms and potential biomarkers of developmental programming changes in multiple organs in offspring, as elicited by an unfavorable prenatal environment. These insights are drawn from various animal models of pregnancy and in vitro studies. Furthermore, this chapter encapsulates the early warning signs and intervention targets for a range of fetal-originated diseases, thereby laying a foundation for the exploration of preventative and therapeutic strategies for such conditions.