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Low birth weight and risk of high blood pressure in adulthood
G Gennser1, P Rymark, P E Isberg
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Lund, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
Insights
Being born small for gestational age may predict higher blood pressure in early adulthood. This study found a significantly higher risk of increased diastolic blood pressure among men with low birth weight for their gestational age.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD)
Background:
- Hypertension is a major global health concern.
- The developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis suggests early-life factors influence adult health.
- Low birth weight has been linked to various adverse health outcomes in later life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between birth weight for gestational age and the risk of elevated blood pressure in early adult life.
- To determine if being born small for gestational age is a predictor of hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of male army conscripts.
- Analysis of hospital birth records for birth weight and gestational age.
- Measurement of resting diastolic blood pressure at 28 years of age.
- Comparison of blood pressure between men born small for gestational age and those with appropriate birth weight.
Main Results:
- Of 77 men with available birth data, 25 had elevated diastolic blood pressure (≥90 mm Hg).
- Men born small for gestational age were more likely to have elevated diastolic blood pressure compared to those with appropriate birth weight.
- The risk of increased diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the small-for-gestational-age group (odds ratio 3.63).
Conclusions:
- Being born small for gestational age is a significant predictor of raised diastolic blood pressure in early adult life.
- Early-life growth restriction may contribute to the development of hypertension.
- Findings support the DOHaD hypothesis regarding blood pressure regulation.
Abstract:
Hospital birth records were sought for 104 men from a pool of male army conscripts with "normal" or "high" blood pressure when measured at 28 years of age. Of 77 men whose birth weight and date of the mother's last menstrual period before the pregnancy could be found, 25 had a resting diastolic blood pressure of greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg. In 11 of these compared with nine of the 52 men with normal diastolic pressures their birth weights in relation to gestational age had been below the mean and 1 SD of a comparable Swedish population. The risk of increased diastolic blood pressure in early adult life was significantly higher among men who had been growth retarded at birth than among those whose birth weight had been appropriate for gestational age (odds ratio 3.63; 95% confidence interval 1.14 to 12.57). Being born small for gestational age may be a predictor of raised blood pressure in early adult life.