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Differences in association between birth parameters and blood pressure in children from preschool to high school

B Gopinath1, L A Baur, N Pfund

  • 1Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology and Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.

Journal of Human Hypertension
|April 27, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Lower birth weight and shorter gestational age in infancy are linked to higher blood pressure (BP) in 6-year-olds. These associations were not found in younger children or preadolescents.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Childhood blood pressure (BP) tracks into adulthood, influencing long-term cardiovascular risk.
  • Birth parameters, such as birth weight and gestational age, are potential early life determinants of health.
  • Understanding these early influences is crucial for pediatric health and disease prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between birth parameters and blood pressure in preschool- and school-aged children.
  • To identify specific birth factors influencing blood pressure trajectories during childhood.
  • To determine age-specific associations between birth weight, gestational age, and blood pressure.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized two independent childhood datasets encompassing children aged 3-12 years.
  • Collected birth parameter data from parental records and measured blood pressure using standardized protocols.
  • Employed multivariable adjustment to analyze associations between birth weight, gestational age, and systolic/diastolic BP.

Main Results:

  • In 6-year-olds, each 1 kg decrease in birth weight correlated with a 1.33 mm Hg higher systolic BP and 1.20 mm Hg higher diastolic BP.
  • Each week decrease in gestational age was linked to a 0.33 mm Hg higher systolic BP and 0.37 mm Hg higher diastolic BP in 6-year-olds.
  • Low birth weight (<2499 g) was significantly associated with higher systolic BP in 6-year-old girls, but no significant associations were found in preschoolers or preadolescents.

Conclusions:

  • Birth weight and gestational age are significant predictors of blood pressure in 6-year-old children, especially girls.
  • Early life birth parameters may not influence blood pressure in younger preschool-aged children or older preadolescents.
  • These findings highlight the critical window of early development for establishing cardiovascular health patterns.

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