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Early linear growth retardation and later blood pressure
P S Gaskin1, S P Walker, T E Forrester
1Tropical Metabolism Research Unit, University of the West Indies, Jamaica.
Insights
Early childhood stunting is linked to higher systolic blood pressure in later childhood. This study highlights potential long-term health risks associated with childhood growth deficits.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Human Growth and Development
Background:
- Childhood stunting, defined by height-for-age below -2 standard deviations, is a significant public health concern.
- Early life growth faltering can have lasting physiological consequences into later childhood.
- Understanding the long-term impact of stunting is crucial for preventative health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between early childhood stunting and blood pressure levels in later childhood.
- To determine if childhood stunting predicts elevated systolic blood pressure in 7-8 year old children.
- To analyze the relationship between early growth deficits and cardiovascular health markers.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study design was employed in Kingston, Jamaica.
- Seven to eight-year-old children (n=344) were assessed, including 120 stunted and 224 non-stunted children identified in early childhood (9-24 months).
- Blood pressure, anthropometry, and birth weight data were collected and analyzed using multiple regression, adjusting for covariates.
Main Results:
- Children who experienced stunting in early childhood remained shorter and thinner at follow-up.
- Stunted children exhibited significantly higher systolic blood pressure compared to non-stunted children (P<0.05), after adjusting for size and pulse rate.
- Birth weight was not found to be a significant predictor of systolic blood pressure in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- Early childhood stunting is a potential risk factor for developing elevated systolic blood pressure in later childhood.
- These findings underscore the importance of addressing childhood stunting to mitigate long-term cardiovascular health risks.
- Interventions aimed at improving early childhood nutrition and growth may have beneficial effects on later life blood pressure.
Objective:
To examine the effects of stunting in early childhood on blood pressure in later childhood.
Design:
A cohort study.
Setting:
Kingston, Jamaica.
Subjects:
Seven to eight year old children, 120 stunted (height for age <-2 s.d. of the NCHS references) and 224 non-stunted (height for age >-1 s.d. of the NCHS references) at age 9-24 months.
Methods:
Stunted and non-stunted children were identified at age 9-24 months by house to-house survey of poor neighbourhoods in Kingston, Jamaica. Blood pressure and anthropometry were measured at age 7-8 y. Birth weight was obtained from hospital records (73%) or maternal recall.
Results:
The stunted children remained shorter and thinner than the non-stunted ones. In multiple regression analysis adjusting for size and pulse rate, the stunted children had higher systolic blood pressure (P<0.05). Birth weight was not a significant predictor of systolic blood pressure.
Conclusion:
Stunting in early childhood may increase the risk of elevated systolic blood pressure in later life.
Sponsorship:
Nutricia Research Foundation, The Netherlands and the Commonwealth Caribbean Medical Research Council.