[Epigenetic mechanisms in physiologic and pathologic pregnancies]

Epigenetic factors are nowadays in the focus of scientific interest in medicine including obstetrics. The environment in utero and early neonatal life may induce a permanent response in the fetus and the newborn leading to enhanced susceptibility to later diseases. There is now growing evidence that the effects of developmental programming may also manifest themselves in the next generations without further suboptimal exposure. The so-called fetal programming may also highlight a tight connection between pathological conditions in pregnancy, environmental factors and the development of chronic diseases in adulthood. Investigation of epigenetic factors may yield new possibilities for the prevention of chronic diseases affecting a significant part of the population.