Researchers Propose Starting Longevity Medicine From Pregnancy to Improve Lifelong Health
Longevity medicine, which aims to slow aging and prevent age-related diseases, has traditionally focused on adults aged 40 and above. However, a new international research consortium named Prosper argues that the aging process should be monitored and influenced much earlier, beginning before pregnancy, during fetal development, and in early childhood. This approach was detailed in a recent article published in Nature Health, co-authored by leading experts including Prof. Tzipi Strauss from Sheba Medical Center, Prof. Steve Horvath, Prof. Brian Kennedy, Prof. Thomas Rando, and Prof. Evelyne Bishoff.
Prof. Strauss, who directs the Longevity field at Sheba and is a pediatrician, highlights a significant gap between pediatric medicine and longevity research. While pediatric care closely monitors early growth and development, longevity efforts typically start decades later. She notes that epigenetic changes and biological aging markers begin in utero, influenced by factors such as maternal health and early nutrition. For example, infants born small for gestational age were historically encouraged to gain weight rapidly, but later studies linked this to increased risks of metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and diabetes in adulthood.
The consortium aims to identify early-life biological markers that predict future disease risk and intervene before these conditions manifest. Current biological aging clocks are designed for adults and do not account for the dynamic growth in children, so new pediatric-specific biomarkers and tools are needed. The researchers envision integrating longitudinal monitoring of children’s sleep, nutrition, environmental exposures, and mental health to detect early risk factors and optimize each child’s peak physical, metabolic, and cognitive function.
While the initiative focuses on improving healthy lifespan, extending total lifespan remains uncertain. Prof. Strauss emphasizes that existing interventions can add healthy years but have not yet proven to increase overall longevity. The consortium also acknowledges ethical concerns around privacy, medical labeling, and parental responsibility, stressing the importance of considering broader social and environmental contexts. The ultimate goal is to shift from reactive adult-focused care to proactive, lifelong health management starting from the earliest stages of life.
