A high-fat diet damages cells in the foetal liver, which can affect the child’s immune system in later life.
The research was the first to link a mother's weight and diet to the damage caused to the developing liver blood stem cells of their unborn babies.
The study published in the journal Molecular Metabolism used mice models that closely mimics the high-fat, high sugar diet currently consumed by many young women of childbearing age.
Subsequent research demonstrated that maternal overnutrition in mice significantly reduced the size of the foetal liver.
Using these findings the US researchers
discovered that the complex changes that occur as a result of maternal
high-fat diet and obesity ultimately compromises the developing immune
system.
Dr Peter Kurre from Oregon Health and Science University Doernbecher Children's Hospital said: "These findings may provide broad context for the rise in immune disease and allergic disposition in children."
Professor of paediatric oncology Dr Peter Kurre said: "In light of the spreading western-style, high-fat diet and accompanying obesity epidemic, this study highlights the need to better understand the previous unrecognized susceptibility of the stem and progenitor cell system.
Dr Peter Kurre from Oregon Health and Science University Doernbecher Children's Hospital said: "These findings may provide broad context for the rise in immune disease and allergic disposition in children."
Professor of paediatric oncology Dr Peter Kurre said: "In light of the spreading western-style, high-fat diet and accompanying obesity epidemic, this study highlights the need to better understand the previous unrecognized susceptibility of the stem and progenitor cell system.
