Life before birth: effects of cortisol on future cardiovascular and metabolic function.
The concept of fetal programming is an area that is now under rigorous investigation in many laboratories throughout the world. We need to engender a fascination in all segments of society, not just pregnant women, about life in the womb.


CONCLUSIONS
Everyone needs to understand that improving the condition of the fetus will have personal, social and economic benefits. The time has come to realize that, in a sense, it is not just women who are pregnant but it is the family and the whole of society.
Nathanielsz
P W
PW
Center for Women's Health Research, Department of Obstet. Gynecol., New York University School of Medicine, New York 10016, USA. peter.nathanielsz@med.nyu.edu
Berghorn
K A
KA
Derks
J B
JB
Giussani
D A
DA
Docherty
C
C
Unno
N
N
Davenport
A
A
Kutzlers
M
M
Koenen
S
S
Visser
G H A
GH
Nijland
M J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D016232:Endothelins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D010215:Papio; D010500:Perinatology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000378:metabolism; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000378:metabolism; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000378:metabolism
D016232:Endothelins; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine; D006854:Hydrocortisone