Fetal programming: Early-life modulations that affect adult outcomes

Asthma is a common disease, and the number of people diagnosed with it increases every year. Although genetic background and environmental exposures play major roles in the development of asthma, one cannot overlook the developmental origin of adult disease or fetal programming theory. This review examines the social, genetic, and environmental factors that are associated with fetal programming of asthma. We also present recent studies from our laboratory that strengthen these observations. It is our hope that the reader will come away with a current view of fetal programming in asthma.