Barker D J
Medical Research Council Environmental Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK.
Horm Res. 1994;42(4-5):223-30. doi: 10.1159/000184197.
Babies who are small at birth and during infancy are now known to be at an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease, hypertension and diabetes during adult life. This has led to the suggestion that these diseases are 'programmed' by an inadequate supply of nutrients or oxygen in utero or immediately after birth. The phenomenon of 'programming', whereby undernutrition in early life permanently changes body structure and function, is well documented in animals. As yet we know little about cellular and molecular changes which underlie it, but persisting changes in the secretion of hormones or in the sensitivity of tissues to them may be important in determining adult disease.
现已知道，出生时及婴儿期体重较轻的婴儿在成年后患冠心病、高血压和糖尿病的风险会增加。这使人认为，这些疾病是由子宫内或出生后营养物质或氧气供应不足所“编程”的。“编程”现象，即生命早期的营养不良会永久性地改变身体结构和功能，在动物身上已有充分记录。然而，我们对其背后的细胞和分子变化知之甚少，但激素分泌的持续变化或组织对激素的敏感性变化可能在决定成年疾病方面很重要。
