Related Experiment Videos
Intra-uterine growth restriction as a risk factor for hypertension in children six to 10 years old
Agata Zamecznik1, Katarzyna Niewiadomska-Jarosik2, Agnieszka Wosiak3
1Department of Children's Cardiology and Rheumatology of the 2nd Chair of Paediatrics, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. agazamek@gmail.com.
Insights
Children born small for gestational age (SGA) have higher rates of abnormal blood pressure. This highlights potential long-term cardiovascular risks associated with intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Fetal Development
- Public Health
Background:
- Intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects 3-10% of newborns globally.
- IUGR is linked to adult cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension.
- Higher prevalence of IUGR exists in developing nations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess blood pressure parameters in children born small for gestational age (SGA).
- To compare blood pressure in SGA children versus those appropriate for gestational age (AGA).
Main Methods:
- Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was used.
- Study included children aged 6-10 years.
- SGA children were compared to AGA peers.
Main Results:
- 50% of SGA children exhibited abnormal blood pressure (prehypertension/hypertension) versus 16% in AGA.
- This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01).
- Abnormal blood pressure was associated with both asymmetric (p < 0.01) and symmetric (p < 0.05) IUGR.
Conclusions:
- SGA children demonstrate a higher frequency of abnormal blood pressure readings.
- Early detection and monitoring of blood pressure in SGA individuals are crucial.
- Findings underscore the importance of addressing fetal growth abnormalities for long-term cardiovascular health.
Introduction:
Intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) is present in about 3-10% of live-born newborns and it is as high as 20-30% in developing countries. Since the 1990s, it has been known that abnormalities during foetal growth may result in cardiovascular disease, including hypertension in adulthood.
Methods:
This study evaluated blood pressure parameters (using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring) in children aged six to 10 years old, born as small for gestational age (SGA), and compared them to their healthy peers born as appropriate for gestational age (AGA).
Results:
In the SGA group, an abnormal blood pressure level (prehypertension or hypertension) was present significantly more often than in the AGA group (50 vs 16%, p < 0.01). This relationship also occurred in association with the type of IUGR (asymmetric p < 0.01, symmetric p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
In SGA children, abnormal blood pressure values occurred more frequently than in AGA children.