Babies born with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have an increased risk for high blood pressure, which could increase their risk for heart disease in adulthood, say researchers from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network in Bethesda, Maryland.
Researchers tracked the blood pressure measurements of 516 children for the first 6 years of life. About 27% had IUGR, a condition that occurs when babies have a low weight for their gestational age but a normal head circumference and length.
Kids with IUGR at birth had an increased risk of hypertension — 24% of them experienced high blood pressure vs. 16% of kids born at a normal weight.
The study authors point out that being aware of blood pressure problems early in life may help kids and their parents adopt healthy lifestyle changes that might slow or stop future heart disease.
What This Means to You. The results of this study of normal-weight and growth-restricted kids shows that those born with IUGR may be at increased risk for high blood pressure. Even though young children may not show physical symptoms of having high blood pressure, the condition puts them at a higher risk in adulthood for stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, loss of vision, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). If your child has high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend weight loss, increased intake of fruits and vegetables, decreased salt intake, increased exercise, and even relaxation techniques. Kids with hypertension should not smoke, as smoking can increase the risk of developing heart disease.
Source: Seetha Shankaran, MD; Abhik Das, PhD; Charles R. Bauer, MD; Henrietta Bada, MD, MPH; Barry Lester, PhD; Linda Wright, MD; Rosemary Higgins, MD; Kenneth Poole, PhD; Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, September 2006.
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: October 2006
