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Inverse association between birth weight and C-reactive protein concentrations in the MIDSPAN Family Study

Naveed Sattar1, Alex McConnachie, Denis O'Reilly

  • 1University Department of Pathological Biochemistry, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, Scotland, UK. nsattar@clinmed.gla.ac.uk

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|January 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight is linked to higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in adulthood, a marker of inflammation. This finding suggests birth weight may influence long-term cardiovascular and diabetes risk.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Metabolic Health

Background:

  • Inflammation markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), and low birth weight are independent predictors of cardiovascular events and type 2 diabetes.
  • The relationship between low-grade inflammation, indicated by CRP, and birth weight has been underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between adult C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and birth weight.
  • To determine if birth weight predicts inflammation levels in later life.

Main Methods:

  • The MIDSPAN Family Study analyzed data from 1663 adults (ages 30-59) with recorded birth weights and adult CRP levels.
  • Statistical analysis adjusted for confounders including age, body mass index, smoking, socio-economic status, and hormone use in women.

Main Results:

  • A significant negative association was observed between birth weight and adult CRP levels.
  • Each 1-kg increase in birth weight correlated with a 10.7% decrease in CRP concentrations (95% CI: 3.0%–17.8% decrease).
  • No significant sex-based differences in this association were detected (P=0.32).

Conclusions:

  • Low birth weight is a contributing factor to elevated CRP levels in adulthood.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms, such as in utero programming, catch-up growth, or genetics, underlying this association.
Abstract

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