Developmental Origins of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases: Role of Fetal Undernutrition and Gut Dysbiosis in Infancy

Abstract

There is an increasing prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCDs) like obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, allergic asthma, and neuro-developmental/psychiatric problems in many parts of the world. A suboptimal lifestyle as an adult is often blamed for the occurrence of NCCDs. This review discusses the developmental origin of health and disease theory and how suboptimal nutrition in intrauterine life and the establishment of a suboptimal gut microbiome during infancy can influence the predisposition to NCCDs.

Keywords

• DOHaD
• NCCD
• IUGR
• gut microbiome