title: Developmental Origins of Cardiovascular Disease.
abstract: Although cardiovascular disease has traditionally been viewed as a condition of aging individuals, increasing focus has turned to its developmental origins. Since birthweight has been related to cardiovascular disease risk, research into factors such as gravid conditions that affect fetal growth have grown. Associations between maternal diabetes and childhood obesity from sibling studies suggest a causal role but prospective studies of gestational diabetes remain mixed. Preeclampsia and increased offspring blood pressure has been consistently observed but evidence for other cardiovascular outcomes is lacking. While maternal obesity is associated with childhood obesity, causality remains unclear and paternal obesity should be investigated as an independent risk factor. Environmental chemical exposuresin utero, particularly obesogens, are now emerging as another concern, as is conception by infertility treatment. Few studies have investigated subclinical measures of endothelial function or atherosclerosis and more research in these areas may help reveal the underlying pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd, 7B03 Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: Edwina H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd, 7B03 Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: Candace
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robledo
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd, 7B03 Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: Nansi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boghossian
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd, 7B03 Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: Cuilin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd, 7B03 Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mendola
keywords: birthweight; cardiovascular disease; developmental origins; environmental chemicals; gestational diabetes; maternal obesity; preeclampsia; preterm birth