BMJ 2001;323:52 ( 7 July )

Letters

Fetal growth markers may show nutritionally mediated effect

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR---Robinson's editorial on the first world congress on the fetal origins of adult disease reflects just one element of the extensive programme of research investigating this hypothesis.1 The quantity and quality of epidemiological data suggest irrefutably that there is some association between prenatal factors and later cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. The assertion that less than optimal maternal nutrition underlies these observations is, however, far from secure. Studies of well nourished populations in the United Kingdom and rural populations with poor food intake across the globe indicate that the influence of nutritional status on birth weight is small.

Robinson largely overlooked the element of fetal origins research that relates to animal studies. Experiments with rats, guinea pigs, and mice indicate that maternal nutrition can be an important determinant of adult cardiovascular disease and glucose metabolism.2 The feeding of low protein diets in rat pregnancy, for example, . . . [Full text of this article]
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Relevant Article

The fetal origins of adult disease
Roger Robinson
BMJ 2001 322: 375-376. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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