The fetal origin of adult diseases

Abstract

In the last decade, the development of Barker's hypothesis of fetal programming opened the field for extensive research into the fetal origin of adult diseases. The association between low birth weight, which reflects intrauterine nutritional status, and the development of adult diseases has been confirmed in many studies for type 2 diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart diseases. Many other adulthood diseases were investigated for the same association with variable outcomes. These will be presented in this review.