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Childhood growth and hypertension in later life

Johan G Eriksson1, Tom J Forsén, Eero Kajantie

  • 1National Public Health Institute, Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, Diabetes Unit, Helsinki, Finland.

Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|April 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Childhood growth patterns significantly impact hypertension development. Early rapid weight gain and later obesity are linked to hypertension, suggesting distinct biological pathways influencing disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hypertension is a major global health concern.
  • Limited research exists on the combined effects of prenatal and postnatal growth on hypertension development.
  • Understanding early life growth trajectories is crucial for predicting adult cardiovascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between childhood growth patterns and the development of hypertension in adulthood.
  • To identify distinct growth trajectories leading to hypertension.
  • To explore potential differences in biological mechanisms and treatment responses based on growth patterns.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study of 2003 individuals aged 62 from the Helsinki birth cohort.
  • Serial height and weight measurements recorded up to age 11 years.
  • Analysis of hypertension diagnosis, body mass index, insulin resistance, lipid profiles, and odds ratios for weight at different ages.

Main Results:

  • Two distinct growth patterns were identified preceding hypertension.
  • Group 1: Thin at birth, slow weight gain to age 2, rapid growth thereafter; associated with obesity and insulin resistance.
  • Group 2: Short at birth, slow postnatal growth; associated with overweight and atherogenic lipid profile.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood growth trajectories significantly influence hypertension risk.
  • Different growth patterns may lead to hypertension via distinct biological mechanisms.
  • These findings suggest potential for tailored interventions and treatments based on early life growth characteristics.

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