Barker's Theory of Fetal Programming

English epidemiologist David Barker and his associates at the University of Southampton discovered much of what is known about the lifelong impact of early growth and development. Their pioneering work has ushered in a new field of medicine and a whole new way of promoting health and preventing disease.

"Fetal programming" is the phrase often used to describe permanent changes resulting from the prenatal environment.21

Associations Between Prenatal Factors and Lifelong Health

Before and/or during pregnancy...

During pregnancy...

*Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Hope for the Future

It is important to keep in mind that, although these prenatal factors increase the risk of certain complications, they in no way guarantee that any complication will occur.

Anyone who experienced a less-than-ideal pregnancy should not panic or lose hope. Even if a problem develops, most are treatable and many have other risk factors that can be modified to minimize risk. The good news is that new ways to minimize long-term consequences have already been discovered.42

Nevertheless, given the many associations between prenatal events and lifelong health that have been reported worldwide, it is imperative to do all we can to improve women's health and nutrition starting long before pregnancy and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

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