Sex-specific programming of cardiovascular physiology in children.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Increasing evidence suggests that adverse prenatal environments, as indicated by low birth weight, cause long-term changes in cardiovascular physiology that predispose to circulatory disease. The mechanisms are poorly understood, most human studies have been carried out in adults and little is known about early pathophysiological changes. Therefore, we have assessed the relationship between birth weight and cardiovascular physiology in children.

Methods and results

In 140 healthy boys and girls (aged 7-9 years), born at term and followed prospectively, we continuously recorded blood pressure, electrocardiograms and cardiac impedance before, during, and after 10 min of psychosocial stress (Trier Social Stress Test for Children). In boys, an association of lower birth wei

SUBMITTER: Jones A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3031306 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature