Are birthweight and postnatal weight gain in childhood associated with blood pressure in early adolescence? Results from a Ugandan birth cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Africa, where low birthweight (LBW), malnutrition and high blood pressure (BP) are prevalent, the relationships between birthweight (BW), weight gain and BP later in life remain uncertain. We examined the effects of early life growth on BP among Ugandan adolescents.

Methods

Data were collected prenatally from women and their offspring were followed from birth, with BP measured following standard protocols in early adolescence. Weight-for-age Z-scores (WAZ) were computed using World Health Organization references. Linear regression was used to relate BW, and changes in WAZ between birth and 5 years, to adolescents' BP, adjusting for confounders.

Results

Among 2345 live offspring, BP was measured in 1119 (47.7%) adolescents, with mean systolic BP 105.9 mmH

SUBMITTER: Lule SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6380421 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature