title: The influence of birthweight on arterial blood pressure of children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the relationship between birthweight and blood pressure in childhood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study involving 472 Brazilian children ranging in age from 5 to 8 years. Birthweight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol and fractions (LDL-c, HDL-c), and triglycerides were determined. Total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, and triglycerides were assessed by automated enzymatic methods. Blood pressure was measured with the HDI/Pulse Wave CR-2000 equipment. Multiple regression models were used to investigate the relationship between birthweight and SBP and DBP, controlling for the following variables: gender, age, BMI, total cholesterol, triglycerides, per capita income, and maternal education.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When adjusting for gender and BMI, we found a systolic blood pressure increase of 2.9 (95% CI=-5.33 to -0.56) mmHg per kilogram birthweight reduction. The unadjusted association was insignificant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that low birthweight is one of the factors contributing to blood pressure elevation at early ages. A way to prevent these diseases is by implementing public policies focused on good nutrition and adequate prenatal care for pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Avenida Dr Arnaldo 715, São Paulo, SP, CEP-01246-904, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joilane A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Patricia H C
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Rondó
authors.forename: Jesuana O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Lemos
authors.forename: José Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pacheco de Souza
authors.forename: Raimunda Sheyla C
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Dias
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D000375:Aging; D001724:Birth Weight; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol