Media Spotlight: Fetal Growth and Adult Heart Disease

The details of Barker’s discoveries are described with literary finesse — a terrific late-night read for pediatricians.

The Barker hypothesis states an association between low birth weight and adult coronary heart disease. The fascinating story behind this discovery was reported recently in the New Yorker. In the 1980s, David Barker, a British epidemiologist, compiled maps showing common causes of death in different regions of England and Wales. Surprised by his initial observation that death rates from heart disease in adults were higher in economically poorer regions, he asked the question: Could early childhood health be important? Through meticulous scavenging of birth records and death certificates of individuals born 50 years earlier, he made the following discoveries:

The poorest regions had the highest rates of neonatal and infant mortality and adult …

Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics