Telomere length and preeclampsia

Summary

Our hypothesis is that short telomere length in both parents, and thus also in the child, contributes to the development of preeclampsia.

Abstract:

Telomere length is hereditary and largely determined at birth. Adults with short telomeres have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Women who have had preeclampsia, and children born after a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia, have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. The underlying mechanisms behind this context are poorly understood. Our hypothesis is that short telomere length in both parents, and thus also in the child, contributes to the development of preeclampsia. In this study, we will use blood samples and data from newborns and parents in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Study (MoBa). Telomere length shall be measured in a thousand children born after a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia, and in their mothers and fathers. As a control group, telomere length shall also be measured in a thousand children born after an uncomplicated pregnancy, and in their mothers and fathers. We will prepare a risk estimate for the development of preeclampsia based on the telomere length of the mother, father and the newborn child.