Developmental origins of health and adult disease: what should neonatologists/paediatricians be considering about the long-term health of their patients?

The developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis is now strongly supported by both animal and human evidence, and as a consequence, obstetricians, neonatologists and paediatricians need to consider the impact that the in utero and early post-natal environment can have on later renal, cardiovascular and metabolic health. Four common clinical scenarios were provided along with animal and human evidence identifying long-term health implications. Suggestions as to how we should translate this growing body of evidence into practice are provided.