Foetal programming and coronary heart disease in later life

The maternal environment has traditionally been seen as having the utmost importance for the developing foetus. However, a debate has been raging within medicine for the last decade, which points to the key role of the mother's state of health for the subsequent health of the baby. In particular, her nutritional state has been argued to be of critical importance to the health of her offspring not only in infancy but also as it approaches middle age. Evidence has been accumulating that the baby's state of intrauterine nutrition will determine the likely health problems that the mature individual will exhibit. This proposition has enormous implications for anybody involved in health promotion and for public policy. This article aims to summarize the main points in this debate and to draw tentative conclusions for the practising nurse, midwife, and health visitor.