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Effect of Protein Intake Early in Life on Kidney Volume and Blood Pressure at 11 Years of Age

Ester Parada-Ricart1,2, Natalia Ferre1, Veronica Luque1

  • 1Paediatric Nutrition and Human Development Research Unit, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, IISPV, 43201 Reus, Spain.

Nutrients
|February 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

High protein intake in infancy may lead to larger kidney volume and elevated systolic blood pressure in childhood. This study investigated the long-term effects of early protein nutrition on kidney development and blood pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • High protein intake is linked to kidney hypertrophy, potentially causing lasting effects if initiated early in life.
  • Early life nutrition plays a critical role in programming long-term health outcomes, including organ development and cardiovascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if higher protein consumption in infancy persistently impacts kidney volume at 11 years of age.
  • To assess the influence of early high protein intake on blood pressure levels in later childhood.

Main Methods:

  • Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing high-protein formula, low-protein formula, and breastfed infants.
  • Renal ultrasound and anthropometric measurements at 6 months and 11 years; blood pressure and urinary analysis at 11 years in 232 children.

Main Results:

  • Infants fed higher-protein formula exhibited larger kidney volume (p=0.048) and higher systolic blood pressure (p=0.011) at 11 years.
  • No significant differences in microalbuminuria were observed among the feeding groups (p=0.56).

Conclusions:

  • Increased protein ingestion in early life may permanently influence kidney size and blood pressure during childhood.
  • Early nutritional programming via protein intake has implications for long-term kidney health and cardiovascular risk.

Keywords:
blood pressurechildkidneyprotein

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