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Aggregation of blood pressure in infants and their siblings
Insights
Familial influence on blood pressure is detectable in infants by one month of age. This study found significant blood pressure aggregation among siblings in infancy, indicating early genetic or environmental factors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiovascular Health
- Genetics
Background:
- Sibling aggregation of blood pressure is established in older children (2-14 years).
- Early detection of familial blood pressure influences is crucial for understanding developmental trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the earliest age at which sibling blood pressure aggregation is detectable.
- To investigate familial influences on blood pressure in newborns and 1-month-old infants.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated blood pressures in 98 siblings from 43 Black families.
- Analyzed systolic and diastolic blood pressure scores using intraclass correlation coefficients.
- Compared blood pressure aggregation in newborns versus 1-month-old infants.
Main Results:
- Significant aggregation of systolic blood pressure was found among families (p < .025).
- Systolic and diastolic blood pressure aggregation was significant in 1-month-old infants (p < .01 and p < .025, respectively).
- Blood pressure aggregation was not demonstrable in newborns.
Conclusions:
- Familial influences on blood pressure are detectable as early as one month of age.
- Early infant blood pressure measurements can reveal aggregation patterns.
- These findings highlight the importance of early monitoring for familial blood pressure trends.
Abstract:
Sibling aggregation of blood pressure has been shown in children 2 to 14 years of age. To determine the earliest age at which this finding is detectable, blood pressures were evaluated in 98 siblings from 43 black families with newborns. Variances of blood pressure scores were significantly greater among families than within families for systolic (p less than .025) but not diastolic pressures. Sib-sib intraclass correlation coefficients were .26 (95% two-sided confidence limits .05 to .47) for systolic and .16 (-.06 to .38) for diastolic pressures. When 1-month-old infant pressures were added, significant aggregation was present for systolic (p less than .01) and diastolic (p less than .025) pressures. The intraclass correlation coefficients were .21 (.02 to .38) and .17 (.03 to .34), respectively. When newborn scores were substituted, aggregation was not demonstrable. These data demonstrate a familial influence on blood pressure in infancy by 1 month of age.