Fetal and neonatal programming: evidence and clinical implications.

Fetal and neonatal programming is the phenomenon describing deviations from normal developmental patterns. These deviations can increase risks for diseases later in life and are an example of phenotypic plasticity seen throughout nature. For instance, infants born with low birth weight, as a marker of an unfavorable intrauterine environment, are programmed differently and may have an increased risk for multiple diseases in adulthood. These risks include coronary heart disease, increased insulin resistance, hypertension, and imbalances in the immune system. This article discusses mechanisms responsible for fetal and neonatal programming. We also introduce possible changes to current clinical management and practices that reflect the current findings of fetal and neonatal programming.