The fetal origins of coronary heart disease.
Animal studies have shown that undernutrition before birth programmes persisting changes in a range of metabolic, physiological and structural parameters. Studies in humans have shown that men and women whose birthweights were at the lower end of the normal range, who were thin or short at birth or small in relation to placental size have increased rates of coronary heart disease. We are beginning to understand something of the mechanisms underlying these associations.
Barker
D J
DJ
MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, UK.
D000818:Animals; D001724:Birth Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000150:complications*; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male
D002784:Cholesterol