Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Relation between birth weight, growth, and subclinical atherosclerosis in adulthood
Maria Helena Valente1, Filumena Maria da Silva Gomes1, Isabela Judith Martins Benseñor2
1Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), 01246-903 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Insights
Birthweight extremes and poor early growth are linked to subclinical atherosclerosis in adults. Low birthweight is associated with higher cardiovascular risk factors, while high birthweight and slow early growth indicate different metabolic phenotypes, all related to atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Developmental Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Adverse prenatal and early-life conditions increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- Subclinical atherosclerosis, a precursor to CVD, may be influenced by early-life factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between birthweight, infant growth, and subclinical atherosclerosis in adulthood.
Main Methods:
- 88 adults (20-31 years) underwent assessments of sociodemographic factors, anthropometrics, blood pressure, metabolic profile, and subclinical atherosclerosis.
- Evaluated intima-media thickness (IMT) and other atherosclerosis indicators.
Main Results:
- Low birthweight (<2,500g) correlated with increased waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), diastolic blood pressure, lower HDL-cholesterol, and higher left carotid intima-media thickness (IMT).
- High birthweight (>3,500g) associated with higher BMI, waist circumference, WHR, and increased subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and liver fat.
- Insufficient weight gain in the first year inversely correlated with mean and frequency of left carotid IMT.
Conclusions:
- Adults with low (<2,500g) or high (>3,500g) birthweight, and those with insufficient weight gain in infancy, exhibit distinct metabolic profiles.
- All studied groups demonstrated a relationship with subclinical atherosclerosis, highlighting the long-term impact of early-life conditions on cardiovascular health.
Background And Objectives:
Adverse conditions in the prenatal environment and in the first years of life are independently associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. This paper aims to study the relation between birthweight, growth in the first year of life, and subclinical atherosclerosis in adults.
Methods:
88 adults aged between 20 and 31 were submitted to sociodemographic qualities, anthropometric data, blood pressure measurements, metabolic profile, and evaluation of subclinical atherosclerosis.
Results:
Birthweight<2,500 grams (g) was negatively correlated with (a) increased waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), according to regression coefficient (RC) equal to -0.323, 95% CI [-0.571, -0.075] P<0.05; (b) diastolic blood pressure (RC=-4.744, 95% CI [-9.017, -0.470] P<0.05); (c) low HDL-cholesterol (RC=-0.272, 95% CI [-0.516, -0.029] P<0.05); (d) frequency of intima-media thickness (IMT) of left carotid>75th percentile (RC=-0.242, 95% CI [-0.476, -0.008] P<0.05). Birthweight>3,500 g was associated with (a) BMI>25.0 kg/m2, (RC=0.317, 95% CI [0.782, 0.557] P<0.05); (b) increased waist circumference (RC=0.284, 95% CI [0.054, 0.513] P<0.05); (c) elevated WHR (RC=0.280, 95% CI [0.054, 0.505] P<0.05); (d) minimum subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) (RC=4.354, 95% CI [0.821, 7.888] P<0.05); (e) maximum SAT (RC=7.095, 95% CI [0.608, 13.583] P<0.05); (f) right lobe of the liver side (RC=6.896, 95% CI [1.946, 11.847] P<0.001); (g) frequency's right lobe of the liver>75th percentile (RC=0.361, 95% CI [0.169, 0.552] P<0.001). Weight gain in the first year of life was inversely correlated with (a) mean IMT of left carotid (RC=-0.046, 95% CI [-0.086, -0.006] P<0.05; (b) frequency IMT of left carotid>75th percentile (RC=-0.253, 95% CI [-0.487, -0.018] P<0.05); (c) mean IMT (RC=-0.038, 95% CI [0.073, -0.002] P<0.05); (d) the frequency of the mean IMT>75th percentile (RC=-0.241, 95% CI [-0.442, -0.041] P<0.05).
Conclusions:
Adults birthweight<2,500 g and >3,500 g and with insufficient weight gain in the first year of life have showed different metabolic phenotypes, but all of them were related to subclinical atherosclerosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:27Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests
01:30Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
01:24Obesity
01:38Inflammation