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Developmental antecedents of cardiovascular disease: a historical perspective

David J P Barker1, Susan P Bagby

  • 1Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Division, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom. david.barker@mrc.soton.ac.uk

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN
|July 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Fetal development, particularly altered kidney development, may explain this increased risk later in life.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular science

Background:

  • The link between low birth weight and later cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has been established for two decades.
  • Recent research indicates that individuals with low birth weight, or those who were thin or short at birth, face elevated risks for both CVD and type 2 diabetes.

Observation:

  • Epidemiological studies across different countries consistently demonstrate this association, ruling out confounding variables.
  • Clinical and animal studies are beginning to elucidate the biological mechanisms driving these observed associations.

Findings:

  • Altered fetal development, specifically reduced nephron numbers in the kidneys, is identified as a key biological process.
  • This diminished nephron endowment may be an initiating factor for hypertension.

Implications:

  • Understanding fetal origins of disease is crucial for developing preventative strategies.
  • Postnatal growth and environmental factors significantly modify the long-term health consequences of early-life conditions.

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