ASH: Birth Weight Link to Blood Pressure Grows Throughout Life

ASH: Birth Weight Link to Blood Pressure Grows Throughout Life
By Crystal Phend, Staff Writer, MedPage Today
Published: May 08, 2009
Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, May 8 -- The cardiovascular impact of low birth weight increases over a lifetime, according to a long-running, detailed observational study. Action Points
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The strength of the association between systolic blood pressure and birth weight increased from childhood to adolescence to adulthood (P<0.0001 for age-related trend), Gerald Berenson, M.D., of Tulane University in New Orleans, and colleagues reported here at the American Society of Hypertension meeting.

These findings add to evidence linking low birth weight to higher blood pressure later in life and emphasize the importance of good maternal nutrition and not smoking during pregnancy -- factors linked to birth size -- they said.

The results also suggest synergism between these intrauterine effects and environmental factors children are exposed to as they grow into adulthood, the researchers said.

Although "you can't change your birth weight," there are things that can be done to interrupt the progression to high blood pressure, Dr. Berenson said.

"We recommend low dose medication for young individuals tracking above the 90th percentile, exercise, and a nutritional diet for at-risk children, especially when obese," he said in a statement. /.../