New discoveries reveal how crucial interactions which determine our destiny occur before birth, when our genes interact with their environment as the embryo and fetus develop. These processes - in the matrix of the womb - are evolutionary echoes of mechanisms which allowed our hunter-gatherer ancestors to survive. These exciting insights into predictive adaptive responses suggest new ways of protecting the health of the fetus, infant and adult. If inappropriate they can trigger obesity, diabetes and heart disease, formerly thought to result solely from adult lifestyle. The new concepts in this book are crucial to understanding the daunting public health burden in societies undergoing rapid transition from poverty to affluence. They add an important new dimension to evolutionary theory. Synthesising developmental biology, evolutionary history, medical science, public health and social policy, this is a ground-breaking and fascinating account by two of the world's leading pioneers in this important emerging field.

A ground-breaking and fascinating account of fetal origins of adult disease.

A valuable insight into fetal growth and development across all the main body systems.

The Atlas of Fetal and Neonatal Brain MR is an excellent atlas that fills the gap in coverage on normal brain development. Dr. Paul Griffiths and his team present a highly visual approach to the neonatal and fetal periods of growth. With over 800 images, you’ll have multiple views of normal presentation in utero, post-mortem, and more. Whether you’re a new resident or a seasoned practitioner, this is an invaluable guide to the new and increased use of MRI in evaluating normal and abnormal fetal and neonatal brain development. Covers both fetal and neonatal periods to serve as the most comprehensive atlas on the topic. Features over 800 images for a focused visual approach to applying the latest imaging techniques in evaluating normal brain development. Presents multiple image views of normal presentation to include in utero and post-mortem images (from coronal, axial, and sagittal planes), gross pathology, and line drawings for each gestation.

This simple and easy-to-use guide to fetal echocardiography will help physicians and sonographers obtain a complete evaluation of the normal and abnormal fetal heart. The book is written in a user-friendly style and thoroughly illustrated with ultrasound images accompanied by schematic drawings. This edition presents a comprehensive approach to the examination of the fetal heart and covers all major cardiac malformations. Chapters include color Doppler in fetal echocardiography, three-dimensional ultrasound in fetal echocardiography, first and early second trimester imaging of the fetal heart, and an updated genetics section. This book, written by internationally recognized experts in fetal echocardiography, is a must-have for physicians and sonographers interested in this field.