Can Life Before Birth Affect Health Ever After?

摘要

The environmental conditions experienced by the developing human during the peri-conceptual, embryonic, fetal, neonatal and adolescent periods, have a profound effect on the future health of that individual. Adverse early-life environmental conditions such as under or over nutrition, stress, vitamin deficiencies, drugs and alcohol exposure can permanently alter the long-term functioning of many organs. These changes significantly increase the risk of developing diseases in adult life such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, as well as mental health conditions such as attention deficit disorder, autism, and schizophrenia.