Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0196 |
| Title: | Contribution of parental blood pressures to association between low birth weight and adult high blood pressure: cross sectional study |
| Author(s): | Walker BR, McConnachie A, et al. |
| Reference: | BMJ 1998; 316: 834-7 |
| Place of Study: | Scotland |
| Abstract: | In the 1990's certain epidemiological studies found a correlation between low birth weight and high blood pressure in childhood and adulthood, (see entries such as 0085, 0088 and 0090). Other studies did not confirm this correlation (see entries 0075, 0090 and 0095 ). The objective of this study is to examine the possibility that parental blood pressure might be a confounding factor in the relation between low birth weight and subsequent hypertension. One offspring of 452 families (231 men and 221 women) aged 16-26 years, had their blood pressure, weight and height measured in 1986. Their parents had their blood pressure measured in 1979. If parental blood pressures were not considered, a 1kg decrease in birth weight was associated with a 2.24 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure of offspring after correction for current weight and sex. However, parental blood pressures correlated positively with blood pressure of offspring and higher maternal blood pressure was associated with lower birth weight. Parental blood pressure may be an important confounding factor in the relation between low birth weight and subsequent hypertension. |
| Keyword(s): | birth weight, Blood pressure |
| Discussion: | Such a study is a reminder that many factors are involved in influencing birth weight. Some of them are rarely taken into account. This is especially true where birth order is concerned. |
| See Also: | No related entries mentioned for this entry |
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