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Published on: February 2, 2017

Malnutrition is associated with increased blood pressure in childhood

Ricardo Sesso1, Genia P Barreto, Janaina Neves

  • 1Division of Nephrology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. rsesso@nefro.epm.br

Nephron. Clinical Practice
|June 26, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Childhood malnutrition, including protein-energy malnutrition, is linked to higher blood pressure (BP) even years after recovery. This highlights malnutrition as a significant risk factor for elevated BP later in life.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Protein-energy malnutrition is a significant global public health issue.
  • Limited data exists on the long-term effects of childhood malnutrition on blood pressure (BP).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between childhood malnutrition and blood pressure levels in children.
  • To determine if recovery from malnutrition impacts long-term blood pressure outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 172 children over 2 years old in São Paulo.
  • Categorization into malnourished, recovered from malnutrition, and non-malnourished control groups.
  • Assessment of systolic and diastolic blood pressure using standardized references.

Main Results:

  • Malnourished and recovered children showed significantly higher percentages of elevated BP compared to controls (29% and 20% vs. 2%, p < 0.001).
  • Adjusted mean diastolic BP was significantly increased in malnourished (65.2 mmHg) and recovered (66.5 mmHg) children versus controls (61.8 mmHg, p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Childhood malnutrition is associated with increased blood pressure in both currently malnourished children and those who have recovered.
  • Childhood malnutrition may be a lasting risk factor for hypertension later in life.
Abstract

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