SUMMARY Background: Barker hypothesized that intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) represents a risk factor for developing diseases during adulthood. Objective: To determine the relationship between IUGR and cardiovascular and endocrine diseases in adults reviewing studies published between January 1990 and December 2013. Method: A review of the literature in PubMed, MEDLINE, ProQuest and Ebsco database. Papers in Spanish, English or Portuguese were included. Results: Seven studies were included, one case-control and six cohort design. For diabetes two of three studies showed a significant association (RR=2.10, 95%CI 1.29-3.41; RR=1.43, 95%CI 0.53-3.87; HR=1.64, 95%CI 1.26-2.14) For hypertension, two found no statistically significant (RR=0.95, 95% CI 0.81-1.11 and RR=1.03, 95%CI 0.71-1.49). For coronary disease one showed significant association (HR=1.9, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.8). For obesity, a study found no relationship (men, RR=1.07, 95%CI 0.63-2.29; and women RR=1.07, 95%CI 0.53-2.14). For metabolic syndrome one