Related Experiment Videos
[Relations between blood pressure at 3-4 years of age and body mass at birth: a population-based study]
M H Saïd1, Y Lehingue, L Remontet
1Unité INSERM 265, Lyon, France.
Insights
Children with lower birth ponderal index (a measure of birth corpulence) had higher systolic blood pressure at age 3-4. This suggests that being thin at birth may be a risk factor for developing hypertension later in life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiovascular Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Birth corpulence, estimated by birth ponderal index (PI), is a potential determinant of later health.
- Understanding early life factors influencing childhood blood pressure is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health.
- A school-based survey was conducted to investigate this association in young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between birth corpulence (birth ponderal index) and blood pressure in 3-4 year-old children.
- To identify potential early-life risk factors for hypertension.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1296 randomly selected children aged 3-4 years.
- Data on birth measurements and pregnancy were collected from child health handbooks and parental interviews.
- Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured using an automated oscillometric device.
Main Results:
- Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant inverse association between systolic blood pressure and birth ponderal index (Z-score).
- A lower birth ponderal index (Z-score) was linked to higher systolic blood pressure, even after adjusting for current BMI and other factors.
- The estimated systolic blood pressure difference between children at -2 SD and +2 SD birth ponderal index was 2.6 mmHg. No association was found for diastolic blood pressure.
Conclusions:
- Lower birth corpulence (thinness at birth) is associated with higher systolic blood pressure in early childhood.
- These findings suggest that birth ponderal index may serve as an early indicator for potential hypertension risk in adulthood.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore interventions.
Background:
To study the association between blood pressure of 3-4 year-old children and birth corpulence estimated from birth ponderal index (body weight/length3), a school based, cross sectional survey was conducted in the Rhône department.
Methods:
1296 randomly selected children were examined at the time of a school medical visit. Physicians abstracted information on pregnancy and measurements at birth from the Child Health Handbook and from parents interview. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements were carried out by using an automated oscillometric device.
Results:
Multiple linear regression analyses revealed an inverse association between systolic blood pressure and birth ponderal index (converted into Z-score adapted to gestational age), this was obtained after adjustment for current length and for current body mass index (body weight/length2--converted into Z-score), for child emotion and for linked study factors. Such a model provided an assessment of regression coefficient: -0.67 mmHg/birth ponderal index Z-score unit (95% confidence interval: -1.24 to -0.11). So, estimation of systolic blood pressure difference between two 3-4 year-old children, one at -2 SD birth ponderal index and another at +2 SD, was obtained: 2.6 mmHg. No evidence of an association between diastolic blood pressure and birth ponderal index was observed.
Conclusion:
In this large population with a limited range of age, our results show that, at age 3-4 years, systolic blood pressure is higher with lower birth ponderal index, suggesting that thinness at birth might be a risk factor of hypertension in adulthood.