A major contribution to science has been the demonstration that prematurity and, not just low birth weight, is an example of “developmental programming” and an independent risk factor for adult disease. Our early papers on the long term follow-up of preterm infants and the autopsy study showing interrupted nephrogenesis led other investigators to pursue similar laboratory and clinical investigations. The field of developmental programming of adult cardiovascular and renal disease including hypertension, diabetes and proteinuria has become an important focus in the global burden of non-communicable disease. Preterm births account for up to 15% of live births worldwide. Currently, these young adults comprise 10% of the population or 33 million individuals in the United States alone. There is growing evidence that they suffer from premature senescence and shortened longevity with death from cardiovascular and kidney disease. It is essential that well designed and implemented prospective studies in viable preterm infants across the full range of gestational ages be undertaken.
