Functional role of epigenetic regulation in the development of prenatal programmed hypertension

The hypothesis that prenatal exposure to poor maternal health or nutrition is a risk factor for adult-onset disease was first proposed by the epidemiologist David Barker in 1990, based on observations in a cohort of low birth weight infants followed into adulthood. Fetal programming is now accepted as an important contributor to the development of cardiovascular disease and other adult conditions. Although the mechanisms remain unknown, it is...