Childhood Environmental Exposures and Adult Disease - PubMed
10 hours ago
- #early-life exposures
- #adult respiratory disease
- #DOHaD theory
- The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory links early-life adverse exposures to adult disease outcomes.
- Adverse intrauterine exposures, especially nicotine and tobacco, cause low birth weight, altered lung structure, immune changes, and premature aging via telomere shortening.
- Impaired spirometry, particularly low forced vital capacity, from birth is associated with premature respiratory and all-cause morbidity and mortality.
- Childhood passive smoking and pollution worsen antenatal effects on lung function and increase early respiratory infection risk.
- Adult diseases like asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have roots in early-life exposures, emphasizing prevention must start in childhood.
- Political action is needed to counter the misconception that children outgrow these effects, as they do not.