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Ambulatory blood pressure in young adults with very low birth weight

Petteri Hovi1, Sture Andersson, Katri Räikkönen

  • 1Department of Chronic Disease Prevention, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland. petteri.hovi@helsinki.fi

The Journal of Pediatrics
|October 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Young adults born with very low birth weight (VLBW) have higher 24-hour blood pressure and hypertension rates. This suggests an increased risk for future cardiovascular issues in VLBW individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neonatology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Very low birth weight (VLBW), defined as <1.5 kg, is associated with potential long-term health complications.
  • Understanding cardiovascular health in young adults born VLBW is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure levels in young adults born with VLBW compared to term-born controls.
  • To assess the prevalence of hypertension in this VLBW cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 118 young adults born VLBW (mean birth weight 1.1 kg, gestational age 29.2 weeks) and 120 term-born controls were studied.
  • 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure was measured using an oscillometric device.
  • Socioeconomic status was assessed via parental education levels.

Main Results:

  • VLBW subjects exhibited a 2.4 mm Hg higher 24-hour systolic blood pressure compared to controls.
  • Hypertension was diagnosed in 11 VLBW subjects versus 3 controls, yielding an adjusted odds ratio of 4.0.
  • Results remained significant after accounting for socioeconomic status.

Conclusions:

  • Young adults born with VLBW demonstrate elevated 24-hour blood pressure and higher hypertension rates.
  • These findings suggest a potentially increased risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes later in life for individuals born VLBW.
Abstract

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