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Obese moms give birth to heart-healthy babies post weight-loss surgery: Study

Written by: QMI Agency
Oct. 29, 2012

(File Photo)

Obese moms who undergo weight-loss surgery before giving birth have healthier babies, a new study suggests.

The study out of Laval University in Quebec City found children with mothers who've had bariatric surgery have a decreased risk of cardiovascular problems than their siblings born prior to the procedure.

"Our research found that maternal obesity affects the genes of the offspring. The good news is that we can do something to change this outcome: Reducing obesity in the mother has a positive health impact on the health of future offspring," Dr. Frederic Guenard said.

Researchers took blood samples of 25 children and their 20 mothers before they had bariatric surgery, and samples from 25 siblings born after the surgery.

Doctors detected positive changes to the genes of children born to mothers who had lost weight before their birth.

"This study shows that external factors also influence our risk for heart disease — and that of our offspring by switching genes on or off in our DNA; providing a glimpse as to why this occurs. This is why lifestyle behaviours are so important," said Dr. Beth Abramson, spokeswoman for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Researchers said they want to do more studies with mothers who lose weight in other ways.

 

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