PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO DEXAMETHASONE MITIGATES METABOLIC ALTERATIONS INDUCED BY NEONATAL OVERNUTRITION

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the key determinants of fetal development. However, prenatal exposure to excessive levels of GCs, such as dexamethasone (DEX), increases overweight risk later in life. Moreover, the postnatal environment is a critical period for development, and overfeeding at this time can change metabolic programming, leading to an increased risk of developing metabolic diseases, such as obesity.