Long-term effects of pregnancy exposure to natural disasters on physical health: a review

Based on the theory of developmental origins of health and disease (DOhaD), adult diseases are related to adverse factors experienced in early life. In this study, we reviewed relevant literatures and studied the effects of pregnancy exposure to disasters such as earthquakes, floods, famines, hurricanes, tropical cyclone, and ice storms on physical health of infants, children, adolescents, and adults. Published researches demonstrated that exposure to catastrophic events during fetus period could exert adverse effects on physical health from newborn to adulthood, and the exposure at different periods could have different effects on physical health. At present, there are a few studies on the long - term effects of fetal exposure to catastrophic events on physical health in China, and it is necessary to establish a long - term monitoring cohort of exposed people. In addition, further study is needed to explore the impact of catastrophic exposure at different stages of fetal period on physiological health in order to provide evidences for developing effective intervention programs.