Exposure to stress during critical periods in development can have severe long-term
consequences, increasing overall risk on psychopathology. One of the key stress response …

Epidemiological evidence links an individual's susceptibility to chronic disease in adult life to
events during their intrauterine phase of development. Biologically this should not be …

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is defined as the failure of the fetus to meet its growth potential
due to a pathological factor, most commonly placental dysfunction. Worldwide, FGR is a …

Glucocorticoid action on target tissues is determined by the density of “nuclear” receptors
and intracellular metabolism by the two isozymes of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase …

Children born small for gestational age (SGA), defined as a birth weight and/or length
below− 2 SD score (SDS), comprise a heterogeneous group. The causes of SGA are …

Whether one is male or female is one of the most important determinants of human health.
While males are more susceptible to cardiovascular and infectious disease, they are …

Maternal exposure to stress during pregnancy is associated with significant alterations in
offspring neurodevelopment and elevated maternal glucocorticoids likely play a central role …

The environment in which the fetus develops is critical for its survival and long-term health.
The regulation of normal human fetal growth involves many multidirectional interactions …

A large body of human epidemiological data, as well as experimental studies, suggest that
environmental factors operating early in life potently affect developing systems, permanently …

Recent human studies have shown that a wide variety of prenatal stressors, from anxiety
and partner relationship problems, to natural disasters, increase the risk for a diverse range …