Impact of maternal nutrition and metabolism on health of the offspring.

Since the original publication of the theory of the fetal origins of adult diseases more than 15 years ago, extensive epidemiological studies have linked the environment in utero to adult health. Maternal nutrition and metabolism are major mechanisms by which the intrauterine environment programs the health of the offspring. Both growth-restricted and overgrown fetuses are at risk for postnatal disease. This paper summarizes the nutritional and metabolic causes of both these conditions and also reviews the interventions that have been tested to mitigate these effects.