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[In the beginning was the child...Is health and course of life determinated already in utero and during early childhood?].

This question has been asked in many medical journals in recent years. The British research group, DJP Barker and co-workers, has performed a series of studies where the delayed effects of the early environment have been documented. The studies comprise ecological, individual follow-up and case control studies, as well as studies of trends over time. They show associations between different measures of children's living conditions at birth and during the first year of life, and the prevalence of different diseases among adults, especially ischaemic heart disease. The Norwegian researchers Forsdahl and Waaler have also done early fundamental work in this field. The Barker group interprets their findings by suggesting that nutrition in foetal and early life is crucial. However, alternative interpretations of their findings have been suggested. The most important objection is perhaps that socio-economic conditions at birth tend to persist throughout life, and that these conditions are more decisive for adult health than the conditions associated with foetal life and birth. Longitudinal, prospective studies which could provide conclusive evidence are lacking.