“Extension of the “Fetal Origin Hypothesis of Barker” towards the “Fetal Origin Hypothesis of Mental Diseases”

Abstract

In this editorial we will first describe most common information about the intriguing “traditional” fetal origin hypothesis of Barker for physiological, endocrine and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The ‘developmental origins of adult disease’ hypothesis, often called the ‘Barker hypothesis’, states that adverse influences early in development, and particularly during intrauterine life, can result in permanent changes in physiology and metabolism, which result in increased disease risk in adulthood.