Adjustment for current weight and the relationship between birth weight and blood pressure in childhood

Abstract

Objective: To determine the role of current weight in mediating the relationship between birth weight and blood pressure within the context of the 'fetal origins' hypothesis. Design Prospective cohort study of 2507 pregnant women and their singleton offspring, delivered live at term, in Perth, Western Australia between 1989 and 1992. The study commenced at 16 weeks gestation with serial weight and blood pressure measurements recorded through early childhood. Results: Inverse associations were found between birth weight and systolic blood pressure at ages 1, 3 and 6. The effect of birth weight on systolic blood pressure at age 6 reached statistical significance and was increased fourfold in m..