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Published on: February 2, 2017

Adjustment for current weight and the relationship between birth weight and blood pressure in childhood

K V Blake1, L C Gurrin, S F Evans

  • 1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. kblake@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

Journal of Hypertension
|August 23, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Birth weight impacts childhood blood pressure, with current weight adjustment highlighting this link. However, original birth weight remains the key predictor, supporting the fetal origins hypothesis.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD)
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The 'fetal origins' hypothesis suggests early-life conditions influence later health.
  • Understanding factors linking birth weight to childhood blood pressure is crucial for preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if current body weight mediates the association between birth weight and blood pressure.
  • To examine the role of weight gain in childhood blood pressure development.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 2507 mother-offspring pairs in Western Australia (1989-1992).
  • Serial measurements of maternal weight, birth weight, offspring weight, and blood pressure from gestation through early childhood.

Main Results:

  • Inverse associations observed between birth weight and systolic blood pressure at ages 1, 3, and 6 years.
  • The effect of birth weight on systolic blood pressure at age 6 was significant and amplified after adjusting for current weight.
  • No significant interaction found between birth weight and current weight, indicating current weight does not mediate the relationship.

Conclusions:

  • Adjusting for current weight enhances the visibility of the birth weight-blood pressure link in childhood.
  • Birth weight, not adjusted for current weight, is the significant predictor of later blood pressure, supporting the fetal origins hypothesis.
Abstract

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