title: Predictors of newborn systolic blood pressure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tracking of blood pressure from childhood to adulthood is well known. It is therefore important to determine predictors of blood pressure as early as at birth.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the association between maternal and neonatal factors on the blood pressure at birth of a group of Nigerian babies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive full term neonates delivered in a tertiary centre in Nigeria were recruited for the study. Each newborn's systolic blood pressure (NSBP) was measured within the first four days of life. The mothers' weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and socioeconomic status (SES) were determined while the babies' weight and crown-heel length were measured as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred and seventy-three mother/baby pairs were recruited for the study. The mean NSBP was 69.2 +/- 8.3 mmHG. The birth weight significantly correlated with NSBP,(r = 0.235, p = 0.0001). The NSBP rose an average of 3.61 mmHg per 0.5 kg increase in birth weight. The mean NSBP of babies of mothers with BMI <30 was significantly lower than in babies whose mothers had BMI>30, p=0.031. The mean NSBP of babies from low SES was significantly higher than middle or high SES groups p=0.022.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows that child birth weight is the most significant predictor of newborn systolic blood pressure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, University of Benin/ University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Sadoh
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Ibhanesehbor
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Monguno
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gubler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D044383:Black People; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult