Final answer:
Adverse fetal conditions and the prenatal environment can significantly influence long-term health outcomes, including cognitive and physical development, by causing epigenetic changes and impacting growth and development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research into the fetal origins of adult disease suggests that adverse fetal conditions can affect adult health. Nutritional deficits during pregnancy, exposure to toxins, drugs, or infections can have profound and lasting impacts on the development of the fetus. For example, exposure to alcohol can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, affecting cognitive and physical development that persists into adulthood. Moreover, prenatal care is crucial for monitoring both maternal and fetal health, as it can decrease complications and lead to better health outcomes. Additionally, environmental influences can lead to epigenetic changes that can affect not only the individual exposed in the womb but can be passed onto subsequent generations. This illustrates the complex interplay between genetics, the prenatal environment, and long-term health.