Conference report: fetal origins of adult disease--report of the First International Study Group, Sydney, 29-30 October 1994.

The epidemiological observations that prenatal and perinatal events lead to adult disease are now well supported by animal data. The events in the periconceptual period, in early and late pregnancy and in infancy can effect programming of cardiovascular, endocrine and metabolic regulatory systems. However, the mechanisms underlying these pathological changes remain to be elucidated. Until this is addressed in experimental animals, clinical trials in human pregnancy are premature.