Les phénols et les phtalates incluent des composés très largement utilisés dans des produits de la vie quotidienne. Une grande partie de la population générale y est donc largement exposée. Ces composés sont suspectés d’être des perturbateurs endocriniens et des effets sur la santé chez l’Homme ont été rapportés, notamment après une exposition périnatale. Les études épidémiologiques sur les effets sur la santé humaine reposent généralement sur un faible nombre de biospécimens pour estimer l’exposition. Cependant, la variabilité intra-individuelle des phénols et des phtalates est potentiellement forte, ce qui peut entraîner une mauvaise classification de l’exposition dans les études sur les effets des phénols et des phtalates et limite leurs conclusions. La variabilité intra-individuelle des phénols et des phtalates au cours de la grossesse n’est pas très bien caractérisée à l’heure actuelle.L’objectif de cette thèse est d’explorer l’exposition aux phénols et aux phtalates et plus précisément : 1) d’étudier les associations entre une telle exposition pendant la grossesse et la santé respiratoire de l’enfant au cours de ses premières années de vie ; 2) de caractériser la variabilité temporelle intra-individuelle de ces composés au cours de la grossesse ; et 3) d’évaluer l’efficacité d’une approche basée sur le pooling intra-sujet d’un nombre réduit d’échantillons journaliers pour estimer l’exposition.Les associations entre l’exposition aux phénols et phtalates et la santé respiratoire reposent sur n = 587 couples mèresenfants de la cohorte prospective française EDEN. Les développements sur l’estimation de l’exposition au cours de la grossesse s’appuient sur n = 16 femmes enceintes ayant participé à l’étude de faisabilité de la cohorte SEPAGES.Les travaux de cette thèse quantifient la variabilité intra-individuelle des concentrations urinaires des biomarqueurs d’exposition aux phénols et des phtalates au cours de la grossesse pour des échelles de temps variées (du jour à plusieurs mois). Ils confirment empiriquement que cette variabilité peut biaiser fortement les fonctions doses-réponses dans les études épidémiologiques explorant les effets de l’exposition fœtale à ces composés chez l’Homme.Les résultats de cette thèse enrichissent la littérature émergente sur les effets des expositions précoces aux phénols et phtalates sur la santé respiratoire de l’Homme. Cependant, notre étude ainsi que la plupart des recherches précédentes sont potentiellement limitées par les problématiques liées à la mesure de l’exposition. Ce travail souligne l’importance de stratégies d’échantillonnage des biomarqueurs d’exposition plus élaborées pour l’étude de ces composés dans de futures études épidémiologiques. Ces résultats sont aussi pertinents en dehors du contexte de la grossesse et pour d’autres composés non-persistants. De nouvelles approches, telles que le pooling répété pour chaque sujet d’un petit nombre de biospécimens journaliers, validé dans cette thèse, sont nécessaires pour caractériser efficacement l’impact des composés non-persistants sur la santé de l’Homme. / Phenols and phthalates include chemicals widely used in daily-life products, resulting in ubiquitous exposure of the general population. There is growing concern regarding the effects on human health of these compounds, suspected to be endocrine disruptors, particularly during early life. Epidemiological research on the health effects of phenols and phthalates in offspring generally rely on a few biospecimens to assess exposure. These studies are limited by the possibly strong within-subject variability, which may result in exposure misclassification. The within-subject variability in the context of pregnancy and its possible impact on dose-response functions are poorly characterized.The aim of this thesis was to study the exposure to several phenols and phthalates during pregnancy by: 1) investigating the possible associations between this exposure and respiratory outcomes in childhood; 2) characterizing the temporal within-subject variability of these compounds during pregnancy; and finally 3) studying the efficiency of a within-subject pooling approach using a small number of daily biospecimens for exposure assessment.Associations between exposure to phenols and phthalates and respiratory health relied on n = 587 mother-child pairs from the French EDEN prospective cohort. Developments about the assessment of exposure during pregnancy relied on n = 16 pregnant participants of the SEPAGES-feasibility study who had collected all their urine samples for three weeks.This work quantified the within-subject variability of phenol and phthalate biomarker concentrations during pregnancy over various time scales (day to months), and confirmed empirically that this variability is likely to strongly bias the doseresponse functions in human-based epidemiological studies exploring the effects of gestational exposure to these chemicals.This thesis adds to the emerging literature on respiratory health impacts of early-life exposure to several phenols and phthalates. However, as for most studies on the human health effects of phenol and phthalate exposure, it is potentially challenged by this exposure assessment issue. Thus, this work emphasizes the relevance of more elaborate sampling strategies for exposure biomarkers in future epidemiological studies. These results have relevance for studies outside the context of pregnancy, and also for other nonpersistent compounds. New designs, such as the within-subject pooling of biospecimens validated in this study, are needed so as to efficiently characterize the health impact of nonpersistent chemicals.

Maternal infection during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of both schizophrenia and autism in offspring. Based on this observation, the maternal immune activation mouse model was developed, in which pregnant rodents are treated with immune-activating agents and the brains and behavior of the adult offspring studied. This model has been found to recapitulate a variety of molecular, cellular, and behavioral abnormalities observed in both schizophrenia and autism. However, despite the abundant evidence provided by these studies that prenatal exposure to inflammation alters brain development and function later in life, the molecular mechanisms by which inflammation mediates these effects remains unclear. It has been suggested that other prenatal risk factors for neuropsychiatric disease may alter brain development, in part, via epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modification. However, a link between inflammation and epigenetic modification in brain has not been established. Therefore, the focus of my thesis was to examine the effect of inflammation on the histone modification, trimethylated histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3), which has been implicated in both normal brain development and in schizophrenia. In Chapter II, I describe experiments examining the effect of a specific, cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), on H3K4me3 in rat forebrain culture. I show that IL-6 treatment results in altered levels of H3K4me3 at multiple gene promoters, frequently in conjunction with altered mRNA expression levels, and demonstrate that a subset of these alterations appear to be dependent on signaling via the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) pathway. Furthermore, some of the genes affected by IL-6 also showed altered H3K4me3 levels in autism postmortem brain. Though a direct link still remains to be established, this observation suggests that epigenetic changes observed in neuropsychiatric disease may have been induced by prenatal exposure to inflammation. In Chapter III, I describe in vivo experiments employing the maternal immune activation (MIA) mouse model to examine the effects of prenatal inflammation on H3K4me3 in the brain of the offspring, at both fetal and adult stages. I found that immune activation resulted in increased levels of IL-6 protein in fetal brain, working memory deficits in the adult offspring, and subtle changes in H3K4me3 levels in fetal and adult brain. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that an environmental risk factor for schizophrenia and autism—namely, inflammation—is capable of inducing robust and widespread histone modifications in a model of the central nervous system and smaller changes in vivo. This suggests that prenatal exposure to inflammation in human populations may lead to increased susceptibility for neuropsychiatric disorders, in part, by altering chromatin modifications in developing brain.

Background: Migraine headache is a chronic pain condition that affects 20% of women of reproductive age, and is often treated with triptans. Triptans are serotonin 1B, 1D, and 1F receptor agonists that act as vasoconstrictors and inhibitors of the trigeminal cervical complex as well as peripheral neurons; they cross the blood brain barrier and placenta, and as such are plausible neurodevelopmental teratogens. No studies have examined risk of neurodevelopmental problems in children with prenatal triptan exposure. This dissertation had three aims: (1) to examine risk of behavioral problems in children using in the presence of time-varying confounding by concomitant medication use; (2) to examine risk of temperamental, motor, and communication disturbances associated with prenatal triptans exposure, adjusting for unmeasured confounding by migraine type and severity; and (3) to examine changes in neurodevelopment over time associated with prenatal triptan exposure. Methods: This dissertation used data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study, a prospective birth cohort including more than 100,000 women recruited during their first prenatal ultrasound visit. Aims 1 and 3 used marginal structural models to assess the risk of (1) neurodevelopmental problems at age 36 months (Aim 1), or (2) change in risk of neurodevelopmental problems from 18 to 36 months (Aim 3) associated with prenatal triptan exposure. Aim 2 used propensity matching and calibration to adjust for unmeasured confounding by migraine type, severity, and attitudes towards medication use in pregnancy. Neurodevelopmental outcome measures included the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Emotionality, Activity, and Temperament Scale (EAS), and the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). Exposure to triptans was ascertained by self-report. Results: Prenatal triptan exposure was associated with greater externalizing behavior problems at 18 and 36 months, as well as greater increases in emotionality and activity from 18 to 36 months. We observed no association between triptan exposure and motor skills or communication problems; triptan use during pregnancy was associated with migraine severity but not migraine type, and adjustment for unmeasured migraine characteristics moved effect estimates towards the null. Conclusions: Prenatal triptan exposure is associated with externalizing-type behaviors and temperament in children, while migraine itself is associated with internalizing-type behaviors and temperament. The use of concomitant medications and the severity of the underlying condition both exerted substantial influence on observed effect estimates, and should be considered in any future studies of triptan medication use in pregnancy.

Les substances perfluoroalkylées (PFAS) sont des composés synthétiques utilisés dans une multitude de domaines pour leurs propriétés hydrofuges, antiadhésives et antitaches exceptionnelles. Cependant, ces contaminants, dont la neurotoxicité a été démontrée dans les études in vitro et in vivo, sont capables de traverser la barrière placentaire et d’atteindre le fœtus en développement. Bien qu’une multitude d’études épidémiologiques aient été conduites pour examiner l’association entre l’exposition prénatale aux PFAS et le neurodéveloppement des enfants, il n’y a pas de consensus dans la littérature : certaines rapportent des associations délétères, et d’autres protectrices ou nulles. Le but de cette étude est d’évaluer l’association entre l’exposition aux PFAS chez les femmes enceintes et le développement neurocomportemental et social des enfants pendant la petite enfance. Nous avons également examiné si le lien différait entre les filles et les garçons. Les données de l’étude Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC), une cohorte de grossesse pancanadienne, ont été utilisées. L’exposition prénatale à trois PFAS (acides perfluorooctanoïque (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonique (PFOS) et perfluorohexane sulfonique (PFHxS)) ainsi que leur somme (ΣPFAS) a été mesurée dans le plasma maternel prélevé durant le premier trimestre de grossesse. Lorsque les enfants étaient âgés de trois-quatre ans, les mères ont été invitées à remplir deux questionnaires sur leurs enfants : le Behaviour Assessment System for Children–2 (BASC-2), pour évaluer les difficultés émotionnelles et comportementales, et le Social Responsiveness Scale–2 (SRS-2), afin d’évaluer le développement social. À partir des données de 794 paires mère-enfant, des analyses de régressions linéaires multiples, avec ajustement pour des facteurs de confusion, ont été réalisées, et les coefficients d’association ont été calculés pour un doublement des concentrations de PFAS. La modification des associations selon le genre a été examinée au moyen de termes d'interaction et d'analyses stratifiées. Bien que la majorité des associations obtenues soient nulles, pour l’ensemble du groupe étudié, un doublement de l’exposition prénatale aux PFOS était lié à moins de déficits de motivation sociale (β = -1.03; IC : -1.88, -0.17) et le PFHxS à plus de comportements atypiques (β = 0.57; 0.04, 1.11). Cependant, les analyses selon le genre ont révélé que chez les garçons seulement, un doublement de l’exposition prénatale aux PFOA était significativement associée à des scores plus faibles pour les sous-échelles suivantes : indice des symptômes comportementaux, problèmes d'externalisation, agressivité et hyperactivité (β allant de -1.87 à -1.32). Le PFOS et la ΣPFAS étaient aussi liés à moins d’agressivité chez les garçons (β = 1.20; -2.27, -0.13 et β = -1.35; -2.55, -0.15 respectivement). À l’inverse, chez les filles, le PFOA était significativement lié à plus de symptômes d’anxiété, et le PFHxS et la ΣPFAS étaient liés à plus de problèmes de cognition sociale (β allant de 0.90 à 1.81). Dans l’ensemble, les données suggèrent que l’association entre l’exposition prénatale aux PFAS et le développement neurocomportemental et social des enfants semble différer selon le genre : un effet protecteur est observé chez les garçons, tandis qu’il ressort délétère chez les filles. Les résultats obtenus dans cette cohorte canadienne de grande taille corroborent ceux notés dans certaines études épidémiologiques rapportant un lien délétère, lequel est surtout observable chez les filles. / Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic compounds used in a wide range of fields for their exceptional water-repellent, non-stick, and stain-resistant properties. However, these contaminants, whose neurotoxicity has been demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo studies, can crossthe placental barrier, and reach the developing fetus. Although numerous epidemiological studies have been conducted to examine the association between prenatal exposure to PFAS and the neurodevelopment in children, there is no consensus in the literature: some report deleterious associations, while others report protective or null associations. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between PFAS exposure in pregnant women and the neurobehavioral and social development of children during early childhood. We also examined whether the association differed between girls and boys. We used data from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) study, a pan-Canadian pregnancy cohort. Prenatal concentrations of three PFAS (perfluorooctanoic (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic (PFOS) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acids (PFHxS)), as well as their sum (åPFAS), were measured in maternal plasma collected during the first trimester of pregnancy. When the children were three to four years old, mothers were asked to complete two questionnaires about their children: the Behaviour Assessment System for Children-2 (BASC-2) to assess emotional and behavioural difficulties, and the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2) to assess social development. Using data from 794 mother-child dyads, multiple linear regression analyses, with adjustment for confounding factors, were performed and regression coefficients were estimated to assess whether there was an association between each doubling of PFAS concentrations and test scores. Effect modification by child gender was examined using interaction terms and stratified analyses. For the entire study group, although most of the associations found were null, a doubling of prenatal PFOS exposure was linked to fewer social motivation deficits (β = -1.03; CI: -1.88, -0.17), and increased PFHxS was linked to more atypical behaviors (β = 0.57; 0.04, 1.11). However, gender-stratified analyses revealed that in boys only, each doubling of prenatal PFOA exposure was significantly associated with lower scores on the following BASC-2 subscales: Behavioral Symptoms Index, Externalizing Problems, Aggressivity and Hyperactivity (β ranging from -1.87 to -1.32). PFOS and åPFAS were also associated with less aggression in boys (β = 1.20; -2.27, -0.13 and β = -1.35; -2.55, -0.15 respectively). Conversely, in girls only, PFOAwas significantly associated with more symptoms of anxiety, and PFHxS and ∑PFAS were associated with more social cognition problems (β ranging from 0.90 to 1.81). Overall, the data suggest that the association between prenatal PFAS exposure and the neurobehavioral and social development of children appears to differ by gender: a protective effect is observed in boys, while a detrimental effect is seen in girls. The results obtained in this large Canadian cohort are consistent with findings from some epidemiological studies reporting a harmful link predominantly in girls.

This study examined healthcare professionals’ perceptions on feeding difficulties experienced by infants with NOWS, the involvement of SLP in care, knowledge and experience levels of professionals, and trends in education and follow up care. A 34-question survey was developed to obtain data from participants involved in the care of exposed infants using the secure webbased RedCap™ platform. Nonparametric inferential statistics and descriptive analysis were used to interpret data. Feeding difficulties in infants exposed were reported by all respondents with SLP involvement reported by 42.2%. Results found that 51.9% of respondents were confident in their ability to educate families about feeding difficult with 60% reported inadequate time to provide education. Discharge follow up was inconsistent amongst facilities. The study supports early involvement of SLPs to address feeding difficulties and improve education.

Les biphényles polychlorés (BPC) sont des contaminants de l’environnement, omniprésents dans la chaîne alimentaire, qui ont une propension à la bioaccumulation dans le corps humain. Ils traversent la barrière placentaire et sont suspectés d’induire des altérations du développement mental ou moteur chez des enfants exposés aux BPC pendant la vie intrautérine. Ces effets s’expliqueraient notamment par la capacité des BPC à perturber l’homéostasie de la fonction thyroïdienne chez la femme enceinte ou le nouveau-né. Malgré le nombre considérable d’études épidémiologiques réalisées, la relation entre l’exposition prénatale aux BPC et les altérations du développement mental et moteur ou de la fonction thyroïdienne n’a pas encore été clairement établie ; d’une part, différents bioindicateurs de l’exposition ont été employés (différents congénères de BPC mesurés et différentes matrices biologiques ou unités de mesure) limitant la comparaison directe entre les études et, d’autre part, le lien de causalité entre les BPC et les effets ciblés n’a pas été vérifié avec des critères épidémiologiques reconnus. Cette étude a été réalisée afin d’analyser la relation « concentration biologique de BPC – effet » entre l'exposition aux BPC de la mère pendant la grossesse et le développement mental et moteur de l’enfant ainsi que les paramètres de la fonction thyroïdienne chez la femme enceinte et le nouveau-né à partir d’une analyse systématique des études épidémiologiques disponibles en standardisant les données biologiques entre les études. Sur la base de considérations toxicocinétiques et en appliquant des facteurs de conversion établis à partir de la littérature épidémiologique publiée, les concentrations des BPC rapportées dans les différentes études revues ont été standardisées en termes d’équivalent de BPC totaux par kilogramme de lipides dans le plasma maternel (µg PCBMPEQ/kg de lipides). Afin d’analyser la possibilité d’une association causale entre l’exposition aux BPC et les effets d’intérêt, les critères de Hill ont été appliqués systématiquement à l’ensemble des associations « concentrations biologiques standardisées – effet ciblés ». En appliquant cette approche aux données publiées de 20 études épidémiologiques sur la relation entre les BPC et le poids à la naissance, l’exposition prénatale aux BPC, aux niveaux décrits (moyenne < 1920 µg PCBMPEQ/kg de lipides), n’apparaît pas associée de manière significative à un poids à la naissance inférieur à 2500 g dans les populations étudiées. Par ailleurs, en considérant des études menées sur le suivi de neuf cohortes d’enfants, la probabilité qu’une altération cognitive ou motrice cliniquement significative, qui persiste entre la naissance et l’âge scolaire, soit observée à des concentrations de BPC totaux inférieures à 1000 µg PCBMPEQ/kg de lipides semble faible. Aussi, à partir de l’analyse systématique des données de 17 études épidémiologiques, l’exposition aux BPC aux niveaux standardisés décrits (moyenne < 1000 µg PCBMPEQ/kg de lipides) ne semble pas induire de variation des hormones thyroïdiennes ou de TSH en dehors des intervalles physiologiques reconnus chez la femme enceinte et le nouveau-né. Ainsi, la valeur biologique de référence établie à 1000 µg PCBMPEQ/kg de lipides pour prévenir les effets sur le développement devrait aussi prévenir les effets sur le poids à la naissance et la fonction thyroïdienne chez la femme enceinte ou le nouveau-né. Les résultats présentés dans cette thèse fournissent aux autorités de santé publique responsables de l’établissement de directives et des normes de l’information utile à la révision des critères sanitaires visant à protéger des effets des BPC sur le développement de l’enfant et la fonction thyroïdienne chez la femme enceinte et le nouveau-né. / Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) ubiquitously present in the food chain, and with a propensity to bioaccumulate in the human body. They can cross the placental barrier and are suspected of inducing mental and motor development alterations in children prenatally exposed to PCBs. These contaminants could injure brain development by disrupting thyroid homeostasis in pregnant women or newborns. Despite the large number of epidemiological publications on PCBs, “biological concentration – response” relationships between PCB exposure and mental and motor development or thyroid function in pregnant women and newborns are not well established; a direct comparison of biological levels between published studies is limited by the heterogeneous biological PCB measurements (different PCB congeners or groups of congeners measured, variations in biological matrices sampled or units chosen to express biological results), and causal relationship between PCBs and a studied effect has not been verified with recognized epidemiological criteria. This research was performed to analyze “biological PCB concentration – effect” relationship between prenatal PCB exposure and children mental and motor development as well as parameters of thyroid function in pregnant women and newborns by conducting a systematic analysis of available epidemiological studies and by standardizing biological data between studies. Reported PCB concentrations in the different reviewed studies were standardized in terms of total PCB equivalent per kilogram of lipids in maternal plasma (µg PCBMPEQ/kg of lipids), by taking into account PCB toxicokinetics and using conversion factors based on published epidemiological data. To analyze a possible causal association between PCB exposure and studied effects, Hill criteria were consistently applied to all “standardized biological concentrations – response” associations. The systematic analysis of “standardized biological concentration – birth weight” relationship across 20 reviewed studies did not show any association between prenatal exposure to PCBs at the described levels (mean < 1920 µg PCBMPEQ/kg de lipids) and abnormal birth weight (< 2500 g). Furthermore, combining data from nine children cohorts to assess the “standardized biological concentration – development” relationship during follow-up of each cohort showed that risk of mental or motor development should be negligible for prenatal PCB concentrations below ≈ 1000 µg/kg of lipids in maternal plasma. Also, the systematic analysis of data from 17 epidemiological studies indicated that the weight of evidence of a significant impact of PCB exposure on TSH and thyroid hormone levels was low at reported levels in pregnant women and newborns (mean < 1000 µg PCBMPEQ/kg de lipids). The PCBMPEQ biological reference value of 1000 µg/kg lipids that should prevent neurodevelopmental effects should also prevent effects on birth weight and on thyroid function in pregnant women or newborns. Results presented in this thesis should provide useful information to public health authorities for the revision of guidelines and standards ensuring protection from PCB effects on child development and thyroid function in pregnant women and newborns.

Estudos experimentais feitos em nosso laboratório comprovaram que a inalação de material particulado proveniente da queima de combustíveis fósseis utilizados em siderurgia pelos ratos adultos diminuiu a atividade motora dos animais no campo aberto. Além disso, provamos que os ratos habituaram ao ambiente desse teste, o que significa que a inalação desse tipo de material não provocou variação em termos de aprendizado simples. Uma das causas da alteração no comportamento em relação à motricidade seria o estresse oxidativo causado pelo material particulado no estriado e cerebelo desses animais. Entretanto, em nossa cidade não existem estudos que demonstrem a estreita associação entre inalação de poluentes, estresse oxidativo e alterações comportamentais. Baseados nos nossos trabalhos anteriores e na literatura, nosso objetivo foi investigar se a poluição atmosférica a nível ambiental durante as fases pré e pós-natal alteraria a memória discriminativa de curta-duração e a memória espacial. Além disso, avaliamos o papel do estresse oxidativo como o mecanismo propulsor dessas mudanças de comportamento. Para tal, ratas prenhas foram expostas ao ar filtrado e ao ar não filtrado durante os 21 dias de gestação. Ao final do período de amamentação, os machos foram separados e subdividos em 4 grupos experimentais (n=24): 1) Filtrado: nasceu e viveu em ambiente cujo ar era filtrado, 2) NFF: nasceu em ambiente cujo ar era não filtrado e viveu a partir do 21o dia do pós-natal no ambiente com ar filtrado, 3) FNF: nasceu sob ar filtrado e viveu a partir do 21o dia do pós-natal sob ar não filtrado, 4)NF: nasceu e viveu em ambiente cujo ar era não filtrado. Os animais ficaram expostos a poluição por 150 dias. Os animais foram divididos em 3 lotes: lote 1: n=6 animais por grupo; após anestesia profunda, os animais foram perfundidos com soro fisiológico seguido de paraformaldeído 4%, o encéfalo foi retirado e dissecado em córtex, hipocampo e estriado para análises histológicas por técnicas estereológicas; lote 2: n=12 ratos por grupo; aplicação dos testes comportamentais; um dia após os testes, esses animais foram eutanasiados por decapitação, o encéfalo retirado e dissecado da mesma forma citada anteriormente para análise de estresse oxidativo; lote 3: n=6 animais por grupo; os animais foram decapitados e o sangue troncular coletado para análises de elementos traço tóxicos e essenciais no sangue total. O córtex apresentou lipoperoxidação no grupo NF quando comparado aos outros grupos, assim como uma alta concentração de Cd no sangue. O grupo NFF apresentou uma maior concentração de Cu, Se e Zn no sangue em relação aos demais. Em relação à memória discriminativa de curta-duração, houve uma diminuição no grupo NF em relação aos demais grupos. No hipocampo e estriado, foi observado aumento da lipoperoxidação nos grupos FNF e NF, respectivamente, quando comparado aos outros grupos. Quanto à memória espacial, não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos. Primeiramente, como pudemos observar, o cada estrutura encefálica apresenta uma resposta ao estresse oxidativo. O córtex do grupo NF apresentou aumento de lipoperoxidação. Como se sabe, o Cd é feto tóxico e passa via transplacentária adsorvido ao material particulado inalado pela mãe. No caso do grupo NF, o Cd possivelmente deslocou o Zn do sítio ativo da enzima CuZn superóxido dismutase formando forma inativada da mesma. O Cd, também, forma conjugado com duas moléculas de glutationa reduzida a fim de ser excretado pela bile. Isso reduz a sua capacidade antioxidante. Esse elemento traço desloca o Fe e o Cu dos sítios ativos das suas proteínas de armazenamento, a ferritina e a ceruplasmina, respectivamente. Esses dois elementos ficam livres para catalisar a reação de Fenton cujo produto é o radical hidroxil, extremamente tóxico para o organismo. O grupo NF apresentou uma diminuição na capacidade de discriminar dois objetos diferentes. Provavelmente, o Cd agiu de forma indireta diminuindo a capacidade antioxidante da CuZn superóxido dismutase e da glutationa, além de liberar Fe e Cu e aumentar a produção de radical hidroxil. O aumento da lipoperoxidação causado pelo Cd pode ser o mecanismo responsável pela perda desse tipo de memória. Entretanto, o grupo NFF, cuja exposição à poluição foi na fase pré-natal, não apresentou aumento na lipoperoxidação. Possivelmente, a alta concentração dos elementos traço essenciais, Cu, Zn e Se aumentou a atividade das enzimas CuZn superóxidodismutase e glutationa peroxidase, respectivamente, o que evitou danos oxidativos durante o período intra-uterino. O grupo FNF apresentou aumento de lipoperoxidação no hipocampo, mas não houve diferença na memória espacial testada com o labirinto de Morris modificado. Portanto, considerando todos os achados, concluímos que, possivelmente, o aumento da lipoperoxidação causado indiretamente pelo Cd pode ser um dos mecanismos responsáveis pela perda da capacidade da memória discriminativa de curta-duração. Além disso, os elementos traço essenciais exercem uma proteção via aumento das defesas antioxidantes dos animais que nasceram em ambiente poluído e, após 21 dias de vida, foram transferidos para o ambiente com o ar filtrado, o que demonstra, provavelmente, a existência de mecanismos antioxidantes de adaptação em ambientes inóspitos como forma de proteção contra o agente agressor durante o desenvolvimento do embrião. / Experimental studies done at our laboratory demonstrated that the inhalation of residual oil fly ash by the adult rats decreased motor activity of the animals in the open-field test. Additionaly, we showed that rats which inhalated residual oil fly ash preserved its habituation capacity. In this study, oxidative stress in striatum and cerebellum might be the cause of motor activity alterations. However, there were any studies about air pollution and behavioral alterations in Porto Alegre. Based on our previous works and in the literature, our objective was to investigate if the exposure to air pollution during intrauterine and lactation periods would damage the short term discriminative and spatial memories and if the mechanisms would be dependent of oxidants. For such, female pregnant rats were exposed to the filtered air and to the non filtered air during the 21 days of gestation. At the end of the breast-feeding period, the males were separate and divided in 4 experimental groups (n =24): 1) Filtered (F): - pre and post-natal exposure until adulthood in filtered air; 2) non filtered/filtered air (NFF): pre-natal period in non-filtered air until PND21 and post-natal in filtered air until adulthood; 3) filtered air/non-filtered air (FNF): pre-natal period in filtered air until PND 21 and post-natal period in non-filtered air until adulthood; 4) non filtered air (NF): pre and post-natal periods in non-filtered air.The animals were exposed the pollution for 150 days. The animals were divided in 3 lots: lot 1: n=6 animals per group; after anesthesia, the animals were perfused with saline solution following by paraformaldehyde 4%, the brain was removed and dissected in cortex, hippocampus and striatum for histological analyses by stereological techniques; lot 2: n=12 rats per group; submitted to behavioral tests; one day after the tests, those animals were euthanized by decapitation, the brain was removed and dissected in the same way mentioned previously for oxidative stress analysis; lot 3: 6 animals per group; the animals were decapitated and the troncular blood was collected to analyze the toxic and the essential trace elements. The cortex presented lipoperoxidation in NF group when compared to other groups, as well as a high concentration of Cd in the blood. The group NFF presented higher blood concentration of Cu, Se and Zn when compared to other groups. There was a decrease in the discriminative capacity in the group NF when compared to other groups. In the hippocampus and striatum, increases of lipidperoxidation were observed in the groups FNF and NF, respectively, when compared to other groups. Spatial memory of all groups was preserved. We observed the each brain structure reacts in a different way to oxidative stress. The NF cortex group presented an increased of lipidperoxidation. In this group, there was higher Cd blood concentration, which passes through placenta and it is fetotoxic. It might be possible that Cd dislocated Zn of the active site of CuZn superóxido dismutase resulting in inactive forms of this enzyme. The Cd also depletes reduced glutathione. Moreover, Cd may dislocate the Fe and Cu from its storage proteins to react with oxygen peroxide increasing the hydroxyl radical production by Fenton reaction. The group NF presented a decrease in the capacity to discriminate two different objects. Cd may act in an indirect way reducing the antioxidant capacity of CuZn superxidodismutase and of the glutathione and increasing the hydroxyl radical production. Lipoperoxidation in NF cortex caused by the Cd may be one of the mechanisms which explain the loss of discriminative capacity. However, the group NFF, whose air pollution exposure was in the pre-natal period, did not present increase of lipidperoxidation. The higher concentrations of essential trace elements (Cu, Se and Zn) may protect this group against oxidative stress. These elements are cofactor of antioxidants enzymes, superoxidodismutase and glutathione peroxidase and increased its activities during the intra-uterine exposure to air pollution. The group FNF presented lipidperoxidation increase in the hippocampus, but there was no difference in the spatial memory tested with Morris\' maze. Therefore, considering our data, we suggested that the increase of lipidperoxidation caused indirectly by Cd, which was adsorbed in particulate matter surface, may be one of the mechanisms which explain the loss of short-term discriminative memory

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Condições adversas no ambiente pré-natal e primeiros anos de vida são independentemente associados com risco aumentado de doença cardiovascular. A hipótese aceita atualmente para essa associação é a de que agravos, principalmente nutricionais, ocorridos durante a gestação alteram a organização de órgãos e sistemas, que ao serem solicitados na vida adulta, teriam menor capacidade funcional. Com base nessa premissa, o trabalho tem o objetivo de estudar a relação entre o peso ao nascer, crescimento no primeiro ano de vida e fatores de risco para doença cardiovascular e aterosclerose subclínica em adultos do Centro de Saúde-Escola (CSE) \"Prof. Samuel B. Pessoa\" da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Em 2009, 88 adultos jovens com idade entre 20-31 anos, seguidos desde o início da vida no CSE, foram submetidos ao diagnóstico de aterosclerose subclínica. Informações relacionadas às características sociodemográficas, dados antropométricos, medidas da pressão arterial, perfil metabólico, e avaliação da aterosclerose subclínica pela ultrassonografia e métodos gráficos foram obtidas dos adultos, e estudadas de acordo com 2 pontos de corte em relação ao peso de nascimento (< 2.500 gramas; e, > 3.500 gramas) e ganho de peso no primeiro ano de vida. Os pesos foram obtidos dos registros de prontuários. Os achados atuais dos adultos foram analisados em relação às condições de nascimento e ao ganho de peso no primeiro ano de vida. Para realização das análises estatísticas foram realizadas regressões multivariadas. RESULTADOS: Baixo peso ao nascer, menor de 2.500 gramas (g) foi negativamente correlacionado com a relação cintura-quadril (RCQ) elevada, segundo coeficiente de regressão (CR) igual a -0,323, IC 95% [-0,571, -0,075] p < 0,05, níveis de pressão arterial diastólica (CR=-4,744, IC 95% [-9,017,-0,470] p < 0,05), HDL-colesterol reduzido (CR=-0,272, IC 95% [-0,516, -0,029] p < 0,05), e frequência da espessura da média-íntima (EMI) média da carótida esquerda (CE) acima do p75 (CR=-0,242, IC 95% [-0,476,-0,008] p < 0,05). Peso ao nascer maior do que 3.500 g foi positivamente associado com IMC (CR=2,832, IC 95% [0,433, 5,233] p < 0,05), IMC >= 25,0 kg/m2, (CR=0,317, IC 95% [0,782, 0,557] p < 0.05), cintura abdominal elevada (CR=0,284, IC 95% [0,054, 0,513] p < 0,05), RCQ elevada (CR=0,280, IC 95% [0,054, 0,505] p < 0,05), glicemia de jejum (CR=3,808, IC 95% [0,558, 7,058] p < 0,05), MEGA mínima (CR=4,354, IC 95% [0,821, 7,888] p < 0,05), MEGA máxima (CR=7,095, IC 95% [0,608, 13,583] p < 0,05), tamanho do lobo direito do fígado (CR=6,896, IC 95% [1,946, 11,847] p < 0,01), e com a frequência do lobo direito do fígado acima do p75 (CR=0,361, IC 95% [0,169, 0,552] p < 0,01). Ganho de peso no primeiro ano de vida menor que: a diferença entre o peso com 12 meses de idade e o peso de nascimento no p50 das curvas da Organização Mundial da Saúde, foi considerado inadequado, sendo negativamente correlacionado com EMI média da CE (CR=-0,046, IC 95% [-0,086, -0,006] p < 0,05), frequência da EMI média da CE acima do p75 (CR=-0,253, IC 95% [-0,487, -0,018] p < 0,05), EMI da (CE+CD)/2, com CR=-0,038, IC 95% [-0,073, -0,002] p < 0,05, e com a frequência da EMI (CE+CD)/2 acima do p75 (CR=-0,241, IC 95% [-0,442, -0,041] p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Adultos com pesos de nascimento menores do que 2.500 g. e maiores do que 3.500 g. e com ganho de peso insuficiente no primeiro ano de vida apresentaram diferentes fenótipos metabólicos, mas todos relacionados com fatores de risco aumentados para doença cardiovascular e aterosclerose subclínica, quando comparados com aqueles que nasceram com peso adequado e com ganho de peso suficiente no primeiro ano de vida / BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adverse conditions in the prenatal environment and in the first years of life are independently associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The currently accepted hypothesis for this association is the one that states that alterations occurred during pregnancy, mainly nutritional ones, affect the organization of organs and systems that would have a lower functional capacity when needed during adult life. This paper aims to study the relationship between weight at birth, growth in the first year of life and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and subclinical atherosclerosis subclinical atherosclerosis in adults of the \"Prof. Samuel B. Pessoa\" Health Center-School (CSE) from the Medical School of the University of São Paulo. METHODS: In the year of 2009, 88 young adults aged between 20 and 31, followed since the beginning of their lives in the CSE, were submitted to the diagnosis of subclinical atherosclerosis. Their sociodemographic qualities, anthropometric data, blood pressure measurements, metabolic profile, evaluation of subclinical atherosclerosis by ultrasound and graphical methods were collected. These pieces of information were later studied according to their birth weight (< 2,500 grams and > 3,500 grams) and to the gain of weight during their first year of life. Weights were obtained from the registrations of their medical records. The current findings in the adults were analysed in relation to their conditions of birth and weight gain in the first year of life. Multivariate regressions were performed in order to obtain the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Low birth weight, less than 2,500 grams (g) was negatively correlated with higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), according to regression coefficient (RC) equal to -0.323, 95% CI [-0.571, -0.075] p < 0.05, diastolic blood pressure (RC=-4.744, 95% CI [-9.017, -0.470] p < 0.05), reduced HDL cholesterol (RC=-0.272, 95% CI [-0.516, - 0.029] p < 0.05), and the frequency of the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the left carotid artery average above 75th p (RC=-0.242 95% CI [-0.476, -0.008] p < 0.05). Birth weight greater than 3,500g was positively associated with BMI (RC=2.832, 95% CI [0.433, 5.233] p < 0.05), BMI >= 25.0 kg/m2, (RC=0.317, 95% CI [0.782, 0.557] p < 0.05), waist circumference elevated (RC=0.284, 95% CI [0.054, 0.513] p < 0.05), WHR elevated (RC=0.280, 95% CI [0.054, 0.505] p < 0.05), fasting glucose (RC=3.809, 95% CI [0.559, 7.058] p < 0.05), minimum subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) with RC=4.354, 95% CI [0.821, 7.888] p < 0.05), maximum SAT (RC=7.095, 95% CI [0.608, 13.583] p < 0.05), size right lobe of the liver (RC=6.896, 95% CI [1.946, 11.847] p < 0.01), and the frequency of the right lobe of the liver above the 75th percentile (RC=0.361, 95% CI [0.169, 0.552] p < 0.01). Weight gain in the first year of life was considered inadequate when it was lower than the difference between the weight at 12 months of age and birth weight at the 50th percentile curves of the World Health Organization (WHO), and negatively correlated with media IMT of left carotid (RC=-0.046, 95% CI [-0.086, -0.006] p < 0.05, frequency of media IMT of left carotid above the 75th percentile (RC=-0.253, 95% CI [-0.487, -0.018] p < 0.05), media IMT(left carotid + right carotid)/2 com RC=-0.038, 95% CI [-0.073, -0.002] p < 0.05, and the frequency of the media IMT (left carotid + right carotid)/2 above the 75th percentile (RC=-0.241, 95% CI [-0.442,-0.041] p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Adults with weight at birth lower than 2,500 g and higher than 3,500 g and with insufficient weight gain in the first year of life have showed different metabolic phenotypes, but all related to increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease and subclinical atherosclerosis when compared to those who were born with appropriate weight and who have gained enough weight during the first year of life

A ocorrência de doença cardiovascular não pode ser explicada somente pelo estilo de vida do adulto. Estudos ecológicos e epidemiológicos dos últimos vinte anos demonstraram maior incidência de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em indivíduos que nasceram com baixo peso e tiveram um ganho de peso inadequado nos dois primeiros anos de vida. A hipótese aceita atualmente é a de que agravos, principalmente nutricionais, ocorridos durante a gestação alteram a programação de órgãos e sistemas para preservar, principalmente, o desenvolvimento cerebral, levando ao sacrifício metabólico de vários órgãos, como rins, fígado, coração, pâncreas, que ao serem solicitados na vida adulta, teriam menor capacidade funcional. Esta teoria foi chamada Hipótese de Barker ou do Fenótipo Poupador. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o peso de nascimento e do primeiro ano de vida de adultos usuários do Centro de Saúde-Escola Prof. Samuel B. Pessoa, que foram matriculados quando lactentes e que estão atualmente em seguimento nesta unidade de saúde, correlacionando com a sua condição de saúde atual, para tentar demonstrar a teoria das origens desenvolvimentistas da saúde e da doença em nosso meio. A anamnese clínica, medidas da cintura abdominal, cintura quadril, pressão arterial, freqüência cardíaca, e exames laboratoriais, tais como colesterol total e frações, triglicérides, glicemia de jejum foram estudados. Constituiu-se um grupo de 298 usuários, com média de idade de 25 anos, sendo 212 mulheres e 86 homens. Após a execução do estudo observamos que não houve diferença estatisticamente significante em relação a anamnese e aos exames laboratoriais alterados dos adultos, quando se compararam aos grupos com baixo peso de nascimento, nem quando comparados aos grupos com peso baixo com um ano de idade. O acompanhamento destes de adultos, por duas a três décadas, poderá trazer dados que venham a ajudar a comprovar a teoria das origens desenvolvimentistas da saúde e da doença em nosso meio. A prevenção primordial, isto é, antes do nascimento, das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis será o objetivo futuro da Pediatria Preventiva / The appearance of a cardiovascular disease cannot be explained only by the adults lifestyle. Ecological and epidemiological studies from the last twenty years show a more frequent incidence of non-communicable chronic diseases in individuals that were born under the ideal weight and had an inadequate gain of weight during their first two years. The hypothesis initially accepted is that certain deficiencies, mainly nutritional, that occurred during pregnancy alter the programming of organs and systems in order to preserve the cerebral development. This process may lead to metabolic sacrifice of many organs, including liver, kidneys, heart and pancreas, which will have a worse functional capacity when necessary in adult life. This theory was called Barker Hypothesis or Thrifty Phenotype Hypothesis. This research project has for objective the comparation of the weight at birth and during the first year of life from adults whose health is followed at Health Center School Prof. Samuel B. Pessoa. This group of adults was subscripted when its members were infants. A correlation between their present health and their health conditions when infants was made during this study in order to try to demonstrate in our environment the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. The basis of the study was the clinical anamneses, the measures of the abdominal waist, hip, arterial pressure, cardiac frequency and some laboratorial examinations, such as total and fractional cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose levels. A group of 298 patients was formed, with an average age of 25 years-old members. 212 of them were women and 86 were men. After this study, it was concluded that the underweight at birth and underweight during the first year of life do not lead to alterations statistically relevant in the anamneses and in the laboratorial examinations. The following of these adults during two or three decades may bring data that might help to prove the developmental origins of health and disease theory in our environment. The primordial prevention (before the child is born) of non-communicable chronic diseases will be the future target of Preventive Pediatrics

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Vários estudos têm mostrado o peso ao nascer de ambos os pais como preditor do peso de nascimento do descendente, com correlação mais fortemente transmitida através da linhagem materna, sugerindo que exposições desfavoráveis à mãe desde a sua própria vida intrauterina até os períodos de pré-concepção e gestacional, além dos genes herdados, influenciam o tamanho ao nascimento da prole. A preocupação atual se relaciona ao ciclo intergeracional do baixo peso ao nascer ou do peso ao nascer elevado entre gerações, com todos os agravos imediatos e a longo prazo que estão implicados em nascer pequeno para a idade gestacional e/ou baixo peso ou grande para a idade gestacional e/ou macrossômico. O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de estudar a correlação entre o peso ao nascer da criança com o peso ao nascer da mãe, com as condições maternas, em crianças nascidas a termo no Hospital Universitário da USP (HU-USP). MÉTODOS: Foram identificados 773 binômios mães-crianças, 773 crianças nascidas de 558 mães, com a informação documentada do peso ao nascer tanto do bebê quanto da mãe. As informações referentes aos antecedentes maternos, pré-natal e parto, e as medidas antropométricas de nascimento da criança e da mãe foram obtidas através do registro em prontuários, sendo 83,8% das mães nascidas no HU-USP. Foram constituídos grupos de estudo de peso ao nascer da criança [< 2.500 gramas (g) e >= 3.500 gramas (g)], e também foi realizado o estudo do comprimento ao nascer da criança <= 47,5cm (quartil inferior). Foram utilizados Chi-quadrado ou teste exato de Fisher, Spearman\'s Rho, e Odds-Ratio para investigar as relações entre o peso e comprimento ao nascer das crianças com variáveis maternas e das próprias crianças. RESULTADOS: As meninas (nascidas entre 1999-2014) foram mais pesadas ao nascer do que as suas mães (nascidas entre 1972-1998), com uma média no aumento do peso ao nascer de 79g entre as duas gerações. O peso ao nascer da criança < 2.500g não apresentou correlação alguma com o peso ao nascer materno < 2.500g (Fisher 0,264*; Spearman´s Rho 0,048; OR 2,1 e OR lower 0,7), e com a estatura materna na gestação no quartil inferior (< 157cm) (Chi2 sig 0,323; com Spearman´s Rho 0,036; OR 1,5 e OR lower 0,7). O baixo peso ao nascer da criança (< 2.500g) foi levemente correlacionado com o uso de drogas pela mãe durante a gestação (Fisher 0,083*; Spearman´s Rho 0,080;OR 4,9 e OR lower 1,0). O peso ao nascer da criança < 2.500g mostrou correlação acentuada com a idade gestacional menor que 38 semanas e 3 dias (Chi2 sig 0,002; Spearman´s Rho 0,113; OR 3,2 e OR lower 1,5). O peso ao nascer da criança >= 3.500g apresentou forte correlação com o peso ao nascer materno >= 3.500g (Chi2 sig 0; Spearman´s Rho +0,142; OR 0,5** e OR upper 0,7); sendo que quanto maior o IMC pré-gestacional da mãe maior a correlação com o peso de nascimento da criança >= 3.500g [(IMC materno pré gestacional >= 25,0 kg/m2 com Chi2 sig 0,013; Spearman´s Rho 0,09; OR 1,54 e OR upper 2,17) e (IMC materno pré gestacional >= 30,0 kg/m2 com Chi2 sig 0; Spearman´s Rho 0,137; OR 2,58 e OR upper 4,26)]. O peso ao nascer da criança >= 3.500g também foi correlacionado com o parto cesareano (Chi2 sig 0; Spearman´s Rho +0,132; OR 0,5** e OR upper 0,8). O comprimento ao nascer da criança no quartil inferior (<= 47,5cm) mostrou-se significante em mães que nasceram com peso < 3.500g (Chi2 sig 0; Spearman´s Rho -0,154; OR 3,2** e OR lower 1,8). O comprimento ao nascer da criança <= 47,5cm apresentou forte correlação com o uso de drogas pela mãe durante a gestação (Chi2 sig 0,004; Spearman´s Rho 0,105; OR 4,3 e OR lower 1,5). O comprimento ao nascer da criança <= 47,5cm apresentou tênue correlação com a estatura materna no quartil inferior (< 157cm) e com o tabagismo na gestação, evidenciados pelo Chi2 sig 0,012; Spearman´s Rho 0,091; OR 1,6 e OR lower 1,1 e Chi2 sig 0,012; Spearman´s Rho 0,091; OR 1,7 e OR lower 1,1, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: O peso de nascimento da mãe >= 3.500g e o sobrepeso ou obesidade pré-gestacional materna foram correlacionados com o peso ao nascer da criança >= 3.500g e maior comprimento ao nascer do recém-nascido, acoplado à tendência do aumento do peso ao nascer entre gerações de mães e filhas. Também, os descendentes com menores comprimentos ao nascimento são os filhos das mulheres com as mais baixas estaturas. A co-existência do ciclo intergeracional da obesidade e da \"falência do crescimento\" se mostrou presente na população estudada / BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many studies have shown that both parents\' birth weight acts as a predictor for the descendant birth weight, with the correlation more strongly transmitted through maternal line. This suggests that adverse expositions to the mother, from her own intrauterine life until the pre-conception and pregnancy periods, in addition to the inherited genes, influences the size of the offspring at birth. The current preoccupation relates to the intergenerational cycle of low birth weight or increased birth weight between the generations, with all the immediate and long term aggravations that are implied in small birth size for the gestational age and/or low birth weight or large birth size for the gestational age and/or macrosomic. The present research aims to study the correlation between the child\'s birth weight with the mother\'s birth weight, and maternal conditions, in term infants born in the \"Hospital Universitário\" from the University of São Paulo. METHODS: 773 mother-infant binomials were identified (773 children born from 558 mothers) with information on both the baby\'s and the mother\'s birth weight recorded. The information referring to maternal antecedents, pre-natal, parturition and birth anthropometric measures of the infant and the mother were obtained through the registrations of their medical recordes. 83.8% of the mothers were born in the \"Hospital Universitário\". Group studies were constituted, dividing the sample according to birth weight [< 2.500 grams (g) and >= 3.500 grams (g)]. The length at birth was also studied in children <= 47,5cm (lower quartile). Chi-squared test or Fisher\'s exact test, Spearman\'s Rho and Odds-Ratio were performed in order to investigate the relation between the children\'s weight and length at birth and the mothers\' and children\'s variables. RESULTS: The girls (born between 1999 and 2014) were heavier at birth than their mothers (born between 1972 and 1998), with an average increase at birth weight between the generations of 79 grams. The child\'s birth weight < 2.500 grams did not show any correlation with maternal birth weight < 2.500 grams (Fisher 0.264*; Spearman\'s Rho 0.048; OR 2.1 and OR lower 0.7) nor with maternal stature below the lower quartile (< 157cm) (Chi2 sig 0.323; with Spearman\'s Rho 0.036; OR 1.5 and OR lower 0.7). The child\'s low birth weight (< 2.500g) was lightly correlated with drug use by the mother during pregnancy (Fisher 0.083*; Spearman\'s Rho 0.080; OR 4.9 and OR lower 1.0). The child\'s birth weight < 2.500g showed increased correlation with gestational age lower than 38 weeks and 3 days (Chi2 sig 0.002; Spearman\'s Rho 0.113; OR 3.2 and OR lower 1.5). The child\'s weight at birth >= 3.500g showed strong correlation with maternal weight at birth >= 3.500g (Chi2 sig 0; Spearman\'s Rho +0.142; OR 0.5** and OR upper 0.7). It was also revealed that the higher the maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, the stronger the correlation with child\'s birth weight >= 3.500g was [(maternal pre-pregnancy BMI >= 25,0 kg/m2 with Chi2 sig 0.013; Spearman\'s Rho 0.09; OR 1.54 and OR upper 2.17) and (maternal pre-pregnancy BMI >= 30,0 kg/m2 with Chi2 sig 0; Spearman\'s Rho 0.137; OR 2.58 and OR upper 4.26)]. The child\'s weight at birth >= 3.500g was also correlated with Caesarean section (Chi2 sig 0; Spearman\'s Rho +0.132; OR 0.5** and OR upper 0.8). Child\'s length at birth in the lower quartile (<= 47,5cm) was significant in mothers who were born with weight < 3.500g (Chi2 sig 0; Spearman\'s Rho -0.154; OR 3.2** and OR lower 1.8). The child\'s length at birth <= 47,5cm showed strong correlation with drug use by the mother during pregnancy (Chi2 sig 0.004; Spearman\'s Rho 0.105; OR 4.3 and OR lower 1.5). The child\'s length at birth <= 47,5cm showed tenuous correlation with maternal stature in the lower quartile (< 157cm) and with gestational smoking, demonstrated by Chi2 sig 0.012; Spearman\'s Rho 0.091; OR 1.6 and OR lower 1.1 and Chi2 sig 0.012; Spearman\'s Rho 0.091; OR 1.7 and OR lower 1.1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The mother\'s weight at birth >= 3.500g and the prenatal overweight or obesity were correlated with the child\'s weight at birth >= 3.500g and increased length at birth of the newborn, coupled with the tendency of increasing birth weight between generations of mothers and daughters. Also, descendants with smaller length at birth are the children of women with the lowest statures. The coexistence of the intergenerational vicious cycle of obesity and of \"growth failure\" was found on the studied population