Tracking of systolic blood pressure during childhood: a 15-year follow-up population-based family study in eastern Finland.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the tracking of systolic arterial blood pressure (SBP) during childhood.


METHODS
All children born during 1981-82 in a rural community of eastern Finland were followed at the ages of 6 months, 7 and 15 years (SBP-6m, SBP-7y, SBP-15y). One hundred and thirty-eight out of 205 children completed the full follow-up period, of which 100 (45 girls) were included in the analysis with complete data.


METHODS
SBP (mmHg).


RESULTS
SBP-6m was associated with SBP-7y (r = 0.715; P < 0.001) and with SBP-15y (r = 0.238; P = 0.017) and SBP-7y was associated with SBP-15y (r = 0.348; P < 0.001). Adjustment for confounders did not change these results. Children at the highest tertile of SBP-6m had a higher probability of being at the highest tertile of SBP-7y [relative risk (RR) = 4.3; 95% confidence interval (CI), (2.4-7.6)] and SBP-15y [RR = 1.9; 95% CI, (1.1-3.3)]. Children at the highest tertile of SBP-7y had a higher probability of being at the highest tertile of SBP-15y [RR = 2.6 (1.5-4.6)]. The regression analysis showed a significant main effect on SBP-15y for birth weight (negative association), male gender, current body mass index (BMI), change of BMI between the ages of 7 years and 15 years, SBP-6m, SBP-7y and the mean SBP between the ages of 6 months and 7 years (all with positive association). Children with family history of hypertension appear to have a higher SBP during childhood; however, this association did not reach a significant level.


CONCLUSIONS
The study confirmed the tracking of SBP during childhood. Birth weight was inversely associated with SBP-15y. Family history of hypertension was not significantly associated with SBP during childhood.
Fuentes
Ricardo M
RM
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. ricardo.fuentes@messi.uku.fi
Notkola
Irma-Leena
IL
Shemeikka
Sirpa
S
Tuomilehto
Jaakko
J
Nissinen
Aulikki
A
D000367:Age Factors; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D007223:Infant; D007229:Infant Welfare; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D012737:Sex Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology