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The association of thyroid hormones and blood pressure in euthyroid preadolescents
Insights
Thyroid hormones like free thyroxine (FT4) were not significantly linked to blood pressure in euthyroid children. This study found no independent association between thyroid function and childhood hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Hypertension is a major global cardiovascular disease risk factor, impacting both children and adults.
- Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in cardiovascular regulation, including blood pressure control.
- Establishing blood pressure norms early in life is vital due to the progression of childhood hypertension into adulthood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between thyroid hormones and blood pressure in preadolescent children.
- To apply a life-course perspective to understand early-life cardiovascular health.
- To determine if thyroid hormone levels correlate with blood pressure in children.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 290 children from a birth cohort underwent preadolescent check-ups.
- Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) were measured.
- Blood pressure was assessed, and hypertension was defined using national guidelines.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of hypertension was 27.0% in the study population.
- Serum FT4 showed a negative association with diastolic blood pressure, but this was not significant after adjusting for BMI.
- Neither TSH nor FT4 levels were significantly associated with systolic or diastolic blood pressure after adjustments, nor did they differ between hypertensive and normotensive children.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid hormones (TSH and FT4) are not independently associated with blood pressure in euthyroid preadolescent children.
- The study suggests that other factors may be more influential in determining blood pressure in this age group.
- Further research may explore other potential endocrine or metabolic influences on childhood blood pressure.
Background:
Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide, and both high and low blood pressures are associated with various chronic diseases. Thyroid hormones have profound effects on cardiovascular function, including on blood pressure. Recent studies have shown that childhood hypertension can lead to adult hypertension. Therefore, adequate blood pressure control is important from early life. Employing a life-course approach, we aimed to investigate the association between thyroid hormones and blood pressure in children.
Methods:
A total of 290 children from the Ewha Woman's University Hospital birth cohort participated in a preadolescent check-up program. We assessed the levels of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) and the blood pressure status in these children. Thyroid hormone concentrations were measured using an electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA), and hypertension was defined according to the guideline of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Results:
The sex-, age-, and height-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was 27.0% in the present study. On regression analysis, serum FT4 showed significantly negative association with diastolic blood pressure (DBP; β=-8.24, 95% CI: -14.19-2.28, p=0.007). However, these relationships were not significant after adjustment for sex, age, and current body mass index. The levels of serum TSH showed no relationship with mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after adjustment. No significant differences in serum TSH and FT4 levels according to hypertension status were found.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that thyroid hormone is not independently associated with increased blood pressure in euthyroid preadolescents.
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