What is it about?

Skeletal muscle growth in the fetus requires oxygen. Chronic anemia changes the oxygen environment of the fetus, and can reduce oxygen availability in some fetal organs and tissues. This study found that chronic anemia reduced muscle growth in the fetus. This reduced growth was due to both reduced proliferation of the myoblasts as well as reduced differentiation.

Why is it important?

How your muscle grows in the womb contributes to your lean muscle mass, and muscle health, in adulthood.

Find this paper in the American Journal of Physiology and at Pubmed.