Genetic and microscopic assessment of the human chemotherapy-exposed placenta reveals possible pathways contributive to fetal growth restriction
There is an increasing evidence on the fetal safety after chemotherapy exposure during pregnancy. Two papers published by our group show that there are no differences in the long-term cognitive outcome and cardiac function between exposed and non-exposed children. However, a substantial percentage of children in utero exposed to chemotherapy (21%) are smaller at birth. Reasons for this are by far unexplored. This article published by one of our researchers now show that there is some DNA-damage present at the maternal side of the placenta caused by chemotherapy, which can be related to fetal growth restriction. Fortunately the fetal side of the placenta seems to be protected from this potential damage.
Research is now planned to further investigate this.
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