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Early determinants of cardiovascular risk factors in adults. B. Blood pressure
S Kolacek1, T Kapetanović, V Luzar
1Paediatric Clinic, Institute for Mother and Child Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
Insights
Early life factors like low birth weight and social status significantly impact adult blood pressure. These childhood influences, particularly in males, can predict higher systolic and diastolic pressure later in life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Human Development
Background:
- Childhood development and early life conditions are increasingly recognized as critical determinants of long-term health outcomes.
- Understanding the interplay between early life factors and adult cardiovascular health is essential for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the long-term effects of birth weight, infant nutrition, social status, and anthropometry on adult systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- To identify key predictors of elevated blood pressure in adulthood based on early life exposures.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal follow-up study involving 465 participants examined in early childhood (0-3 years) and re-evaluated approximately 18 years later.
- Analysis of birth weight, infant feeding practices, social status, anthropometric measurements, and adult blood pressure.
- Multivariate regression models were employed to determine significant predictors of adult blood pressure.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse relationship was observed between birth weight and adult systolic blood pressure; lower birth weight correlated with higher systolic pressure.
- Higher current body mass index was associated with elevated systolic pressure in both sexes and diastolic pressure in males.
- Early life social status emerged as a significant predictor of adult blood pressure, with lower social status linked to higher pressure.
Conclusions:
- Early childhood environmental factors, including socioeconomic status and birth weight, play a crucial role in determining adult blood pressure levels.
- Interventions targeting improved nutrition and social conditions in early life may have lasting benefits for cardiovascular health.
- While infant feeding practices showed no significant impact, birth weight and social origins are critical considerations for adult hypertension risk assessment.
Abstract:
The aim of this follow-up study was to investigate the effect of birth weight, infant nutrition, past and contemporary social status and anthropometry on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adult subjects. There were 465 boys and girls, originating from three different regions of Croatia, examined in the first three years of life, and again approximately 18 years later. The analyses showed that birth weight was inversely related to systolic blood pressure in adult subjects. The highest systolic pressure was found in subjects with the lowest birth weight and the greatest current body mass index. Relative weight in the first three years of life was also inversely related to systolic blood pressure, but only in adult males. Neither the type of milk given, nor the duration of breast feeding and the time of weaning had any significant influence on blood pressure in adult subjects. According to multivariate regression analyses, the significant predictors of higher systolic and diastolic pressure in adult males were: lower father's height, greater current body mass index, lower birth weight and low original social status. In female subjects, the significant predictors were: lower birth weight, greater current body mass index and lower social class of origin. In conclusion, influences of poor environment acting in early childhood may be important determinants of blood pressure in adulthood.