adult cardiovascular risk factors in premature babies

Irving RJ, Belton NR, Elton RE, Walker BR

2000

Scotland

72 mothers of low-birthweight (2000 g) babies born on the same day and matched for sex, birth order, and father's social status. 81 of the original babies were contacted in 1998-99. Low-birthweight premature babies had higher adult blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose than normal birthweight controls. Among low-birthweight babies there was no difference in adult blood pressure or plasma glucose between those whose low birthweight was appropriate for gestational age and the others.

Previous studies have documented the link between birthweight and adult cardiovascular risk factors among babies born at term. This study shows that babies who are small because of premature delivery are also at risk of hypertension and hyperglycemia as adults.