David J P Barker1. 1. Medical School, University of Southampton, UK. djpbarker@gmail.com
Abstract
CONTEXT: Memorial to Jim Tanner. OBJECTIVE: To examine the links between early growth and chronic disease in later life. METHODS: Literature review. RESULTS: There is now a developmental model for the origins of chronic disease in which the causes to be identified are linked to normal variations in feto-placental, infant and childhood growth and development. These variations lead to variations in the supply of nutrients to the baby that permanently alters gene expression, a process known as 'programming'. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in the processes of development programme the function of a few key systems that are linked to chronic disease-the immune system, anti-oxidant defences, inflammatory responses, the number and quality of stem cells, neuro-endocrine settings and the balance of the autonomic nervous system. There is not a separate cause for each different disease. Which chronic disease originates during development may depend more on timing than on qualitative differences in exposures to external influences.
CONTEXT: Memorial to Jim Tanner. OBJECTIVE: To examine the links between early growth and chronic disease in later life. METHODS: Literature review. RESULTS: There is now a developmental model for the origins of chronic disease in which the causes to be identified are linked to normal variations in feto-placental, infant and childhood growth and development. These variations lead to variations in the supply of nutrients to the baby that permanently alters gene expression, a process known as 'programming'. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in the processes of development programme the function of a few key systems that are linked to chronic disease-the immune system, anti-oxidant defences, inflammatory responses, the number and quality of stem cells, neuro-endocrine settings and the balance of the autonomic nervous system. There is not a separate cause for each different disease. Which chronic disease originates during development may depend more on timing than on qualitative differences in exposures to external influences.
Authors: Vundli Ramokolo; Carl Lombard; Meera Chhagan; Ingunn Ms Engebretsen; Tanya Doherty; Ameena E Goga; Lars Thore Fadnes; Wanga Zembe; Debra J Jackson; Jan Van den Broeck Journal: Int Breastfeed J Date: 2015-04-02 Impact factor: 3.461