Effects of prenatal exposure to the Dutch famine on adult disease in later life: an overview

• Published in: Molecular and cellular endocrinology Vol. 185; no. 1; pp. 93 - 98
• Main Authors: Roseboom, Tessa J., van der Meulen, Jan H.P., Ravelli, Anita C.J., Osmond, Clive, Barker, David J.P., Bleker, Otto P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 20.12.2001
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Adult; Chronic Disease; Coronary heart disease; Embryonic and Fetal Development - physiology; Female; Fetal origins; History, 20th Century; Humans; Male; Netherlands - epidemiology; Nutritional Status - physiology; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Starvation - embryology; Starvation - history; Starvation - physiopathology; Undernutrition; Netherlands; Coronary heart disease; Fetal origins; Undernutrition

Chronic diseases are the main public health problem in Western countries. There are indications that these diseases originate in the womb. It is thought that undernutrition of the fetus during critical periods of development would lead to adaptations in the structure and physiology of the fetal body...