Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0090 |
| Title: | Relation between birth weight at term and systolic blood pressure in adolescence |
| Author(s): | Matthes JWA, Lewis PA, et al. |
| Reference: | BMJ 1994; 308: 1077-80 |
| Place of Study: | Cardiff, Wales |
| Abstract: | A case control study considered 330 subjects born in Cardiff in 1975-7. Cases who were low birth weight at term (less than 2000g) were matched with controls of normal birth weight at term (3000-3800g). The mean age at examination was 15.7 years. The mean systolic blood pressure of the cases was 105.8 mmHg and of the controls 107.5 mmHg. The authors conclude than systolic blood pressure in adolescence of low birth weight is not significantly different from that of adolescents of normal birth weight. |
| Keyword(s): | adolescence, birth weight, Blood pressure |
| Discussion: | This study is important because cases and controls were matched not only for sex, hospital of delivery, date of birth, length of gestation, but also for birth order. This study contradicts all the results of all studies that did not take into account birth order. Birth order is the best known single factor influencing birth weight. For example according to a British calculation the average difference in birth weight between first born and second born children is 138 grams. (see Odent M., Tsujino J., Studies exploring health in relation to intrauterine life should look at birth order, BMJ 1997; 314:1416). The results of this study are confirmed by the large Jerusalem study (entry 0075). |
| See Also: | No related entries mentioned for this entry |
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