Fetal thymus size is inversely correlated to frequency of regulatory T-cells in a prospective birth cohort: Results from the PRINCE study

Objective: Recently, a dramatic rise in the incidence of autoimmune disease in children has been observed. It has been proposed that prenatal stress will influence the development of fetal immune organs and incidence of autoimmune disease in postnatal life. Methods: The prospective PRINCE cohort (Prenatal Determinants of Children's Health) investigates the relationship between maternal stress with the fetal immune system and postnatal health. 200 pregnant women representative of the normal population received ultrasound examinations at gestational week 24, 30 and 36. Maternal stress factors, nutrition and pregna…