WHY IS EPIGENETICS IMPORTANT IN PAEDIATRICS?

Abstract

The understanding of the pathological changes in the last decades has become possible due to the epigenetic achievements. This branch of genetics explains the way in which the environment influences the dynamic functioning of genes. The epigenetic variations are determined by nutrition, infections, chemical noxae, and stress. The metabolic programming initiated in the fetal life is decisive in chronic pathology of the adulthood. Infections, allergic diseases, malignant diseases display a significant epigenetic dimension. By acting at the beginning of the life cycle, the paediatrician can intervene in the development of these processes through prophylactic approach and epigenetic therapy, the latter being underway.

Keywords

• paediatrics
• epigenetics
• programming
• therapy