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Low birth weight predicts elevated plasma cortisol concentrations in adults from 3 populations
D I Phillips1, B R Walker, R M Reynolds
1Medical Research Council Environmental Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK. diwp@mrc.soton.ac.uk
Insights
Low birth weight is linked to higher adult blood pressure via elevated cortisol levels. This study investigated the relationship between birth weight, cortisol, and blood pressure across three populations.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
Background:
- Low birth weight is a known risk factor for elevated adult blood pressure.
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is implicated as a potential mediator of this association.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between birth weight and fasting plasma cortisol concentrations.
- To examine the association between cortisol levels and current blood pressure in adult populations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fasting plasma cortisol and blood pressure in three distinct population samples.
- Data collected from individuals born in Adelaide (1975-1976), Preston (1935-1943), and East Hertfordshire (1923-1930).
- Statistical analysis adjusted for gender, age, and body mass index.
Main Results:
- Low birth weight was consistently associated with higher fasting plasma cortisol concentrations across all populations.
- Cortisol concentrations decreased significantly with increasing birth weight (23.9 nmol/L per kg increase).
- Higher cortisol levels correlated positively with current blood pressure, particularly in obese individuals.
Conclusions:
- Low birth weight is associated with elevated fasting plasma cortisol concentrations.
- Increased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may represent a key link between low birth weight and adult hypertension.
- These findings highlight the long-term endocrine consequences of early life conditions on cardiovascular health.
Abstract:
Low birth weight is linked with raised blood pressure in adult life. Recent evidence has suggested that a neuroendocrine disturbance involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis could mediate this link. We therefore investigated the relation between birth weight and fasting plasma cortisol concentrations and the association of cortisol with current blood pressure in population samples of 165 men and women born in Adelaide, South Australia, from 1975 to 1976, 199 men and women born in Preston, UK, from 1935 to 1943, and 306 women born in East Hertfordshire, UK, from 1923 to 1930. Fasting plasma cortisol was measured in plasma samples obtained between 8 and 10 AM. Blood pressure was measured with an automated sphygmomanometer. Low birth weight was associated with raised fasting plasma cortisol concentrations in all 3 populations. A combined analysis that allowed for differences in the gender composition, age, and body mass index between the studies showed that cortisol concentrations fell by 23.9 nmol/L per kilogram increase in birth weight (95% CI 9.6 to 38.2, P<0.001). Fasting plasma cortisol concentrations also correlated positively with the subjects' current blood pressure. However, the association between cortisol and blood pressure was most marked in subjects who were obese (P=0.038 for interaction between body mass index and cortisol, P=0.01 for interaction between waist-to-hip ratio and cortisol). These results show that low birth weight is associated with raised fasting plasma cortisol concentrations. Increased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may link low birth weight with raised blood pressure in adult life.