Fetal growth and cardiovascular risk factors in Jamaican schoolchildren.
OBJECTIVE
To determine relation between schoolchildren's blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin level, and cholesterol concentration and their anthropometry, socioeconomic status, and birth measurements.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
27 schools closest to University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.


METHODS
2337 children aged 6-16 years who were born at university hospital were recruited, and their birth records were recovered: 1610 had suitable records, 659 had records including birth length, and 610 of these were prepubertal.


METHODS
Blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin level, serum cholesterol concentration, anthropometry at birth, current anthropometry, and socioeconomic status.


RESULTS
Multiple regression analysis showed that children's systolic blood pressure was inversely related to their birth weight (P < 0.0001) and directly related to their current weight. Glycated haemoglobin level was higher in children with thicker triceps skinfolds (P < 0.001) and who had been shorter at birth (P = 0.003). Serum cholesterol concentration was inversely related to current height (P = 0.001) and to length at birth (P = 0.09) and was directly related to triceps skinfold thickness and higher socioeconomic status (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Blood pressure in childhood was inversely related to birth weight and directly to current weight. Glycaemic control and serum cholesterol were related to short length at birth, height deficit in childhood, and childhood obesity.
Forrester
T E
TE
Tropical Metabolism Research Unit, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica.
Wilks
R J
RJ
Bennett
F I
FI
Simeon
D
D
Osmond
C
C
Allen
M
M
Chung
A P
AP
Scott
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D001724:Birth Weight; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D001827:Body Height; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D002784:Cholesterol; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin