title: Fetal origins of coronary heart disease-implications for cardiothoracic surgery?
abstract: Over the last 15 years, there has been growing evidence that poor nutrition during gestation plays an important role in the development of coronary heart disease. This hypothesis, commonly known as the 'fetal origins of adult disease' has now gained widespread acceptance in the scientific community. In this review, we discuss the evidence for this theory and analyse the patho-physiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between altered fetal growth and coronary heart disease. Finally, the potential relevance of the theory to cardiac surgical practice will be evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK. omarkhan@iname.com
authors.forename: Omar A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chau
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bertram
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Sunil K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ohri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000196:embryology* / Q000601:surgery; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000196:embryology; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D018579:Patient Selection; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome