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Risk factors for high blood pressure in low income children aged 3-4 years

Márcia Regina Vitolo1, Maria Laura da Costa Louzada, Fernanda Rauber

  • 1Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite 245, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil 90050-170. vitolo@ufcspa.edu.br

European Journal of Pediatrics
|May 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

High sodium intake and elevated waist-to-height ratio in preschool children are linked to increased risk of high systolic blood pressure. These dietary and anthropometric factors are key indicators for monitoring children's cardiovascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutrition Science
  • Cardiovascular Health

Background:

  • Childhood blood pressure is a critical indicator of future cardiovascular health.
  • Dietary habits established in early life can have long-term health consequences.
  • Understanding risk factors for elevated blood pressure in young children is essential for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between dietary sodium intake and blood pressure in low-income Brazilian children aged 3-4 years.
  • To identify anthropometric indicators, such as waist-to-height ratio, associated with high systolic blood pressure in this population.
  • To explore the role of early life factors like breastfeeding and BMI changes on blood pressure outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized trial involving 500 mother-child pairs in São Leopoldo, Brazil.
  • Dietary sodium intake was assessed using two 24-hour recalls.
  • Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements (including waist-to-height ratio) were collected from 331 children at 3-4 years of age.
  • High systolic blood pressure was defined as exceeding the 90th percentile for age, sex, and height.

Main Results:

  • 5.2% of children aged 3-4 years presented with high systolic blood pressure.
  • Children consuming over 1,200 mg of sodium daily had a 3.32 times greater risk of high systolic blood pressure.
  • A waist-to-height ratio greater than 0.5 was associated with an 8.81 times greater risk of high systolic blood pressure.
  • Exclusive breastfeeding and changes in BMI z-score during the first year were not significantly associated with high blood pressure.

Conclusions:

  • Dietary sodium intake and a high waist-to-height ratio are significant risk factors for elevated systolic blood pressure in preschool-aged children.
  • These findings highlight the importance of monitoring sodium consumption and anthropometric measures in early childhood to prevent hypertension.
  • Interventions targeting diet and weight management in early life may be crucial for long-term cardiovascular health.
Abstract

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