Ciba Foundation Symposium 156 ‐ The Childhood Environment and Adult Disease: The Childhood Environment and Adult Disease: Ciba Foundation Symposium 156

Modern technology has made possible epidemiological studies that relate aspects of neonatal health to disease in adult life. This symposium is the first to draw together information from this new research area. Explores links between early growth and the risk of high blood pressure, stroke and coronary heart disease in adult life; poor growth of babies and inadequate growth and nutrition of mothers; and levels of blood cholesterol and clotting factors. Other chapters consider the connections between early nutrition and adult immunocompetence and risk of allergic diseases; critical periods in the development of both the brain and visual system; and possible origins of schizophrenia. Examines the consequences of adverse early experiences for adult psychosocial functioning. Content: The proceedings of a symposium on the childhood environment and adult disease held at the Ciba Foundation in May 1990. The topic was proposed by Professor David Barker, and the contributions include essays on foetal response to intra-uterine stress and critical periods in brain development. We are assembled to talk about the influence of the childhood environment on adult diseases, and we shall be covering four main areas.