Children born with low birth weight are more prone to diabetes and heart related ailments when they grow-up.
This has been established by a research study undertaken jointly by Giriraj R Chandak, Senior Scientist at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) with a group of Pune-based researchers including C S Yajnik.
Announcing this at a press conference here on Tuesday, Ch Mohan Rao, Director of CCMB said the findings of the study were a result of 20 years of research and had important implications.
"Indian women have inadequate levels of vitamin B 12 which is causing the trouble. They should also be given B12 along with generally prescribed folic acid during the pregnancy, " he said.
Chandak said a mother's nutrition would play a vital role in child's health.
"About 40 to 45 percent of children born in India are having a lower birth weight of less than 2.5 kg," he added. Further research is on in various other aspects.
AXIS FORMATION
In another study done by CCMB scientist, Rakesh K Mishra, on process of body axis formation and diversity in animals, it was shown that the expression of anterior and posterior genes is vital for axis formation.
These findings show that while the posterior gene determines the identity, anterior gene is essential for the growth and formation of the organ.
``These findings are relevant in understanding of cancer,’’ the CCMB director said.