TITLE:
The relation between birth weight and hypertension. A study among Danish nurses
AUTHORS:
Rie Adser Virkus, Berit Heitmann, Erik Obel, Thomas Bergholt, Ellen Løkkegaard
KEYWORDS:
Birth Weight; Hypertension; Weight History
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.5 No.4A,
April
18,
2013
ABSTRACT:
The fetal origin
hypothesis suggests that birth weight is related to several adult diseases. One
hypothesis is that low birth weight is associated with increased risk of
hypertension. ADDIN RW.CITE{{119 Barker,D.J. 2009}}In the present study we analyzed the association
between self-reported birth weight and risk of hypertension with detailed
confounder control, and the modification on this association by familial obesity
and own weight history during childhood and youth. Methods: In 1999 the Danish
Nurse Cohort study included 31,642 females aged 44 years or more of whom 76% replied
to questions on birth weight, weight history, familial obesity disposition,
parents socioeconomic status and presence of hypertension. Results: In total
14% reported birth weights below 3000 g. The univariate hazard ratio of
hypertension for those born with birth weight 3000 g. The association
remained stable after adjustment for important confounders, as lifestyle,
weight history and socioeconomic status during
upbringing. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that low
birth weight is associated with hypertension in adult life, also after
considering several confounding factors and weight history later in life. Furthermore,
the previous weight history might have an influence on the association between
birth weight and the risk for adult hypertension.