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Developmental Programming

Meaning

Developmental programming is the process by which an environmental stimulus or insult during a critical period of early development, such as gestation or infancy, permanently alters the structure or function of an organ or system. This foundational process sets the long-term trajectory for health, influencing an individual’s susceptibility to chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders later in life. It highlights the profound, lasting impact of the prenatal and early postnatal environment on adult endocrine and metabolic set points.