Title
Blood Pressure in Young Adults Born at Very Low Birth Weight: Adults Born Preterm International Collaboration
Author
Hovi, P.
Vohr, B.
Ment, L.R.
Doyle, L.W.
McGarvey, L.
Morrison, K.M.
Evensen, K.A.I.
van der Pal, S.
Grunau, R.E.
Brubakk, A.M.
Andersson, S.
Saigal, S.
Kajantie, E.
Publication year
2016
Abstract
Adults born preterm at very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g) have higher blood pressure than those born at term. It is not known whether all VLBW adults are at risk or whether higher blood pressure could be attributed to some of the specific conditions underlying or accompanying preterm birth. To identify possible risk or protective factors, we combined individual-level data from 9 cohorts that measured blood pressure in young adults born at VLBW or with a more stringent birth weight criterion. In the absence of major heterogeneity, we performed linear regression analysis in our pooled sample of 1571 adults born at VLBW and 777 controls. Adults born at VLBW had 3.4 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, 2.2–4.6) higher systolic and 2.1 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, 1.3–3.0) higher diastolic pressure, with adjustment for age, sex, and cohort. The difference in systolic pressure was present in men (1.8 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, 0.1–3.5) but was stronger in women (4.7 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, 3.2–6.3). Among the VLBW group, blood pressure was unrelated to gestational age, maternal smoking, multiple pregnancy, retinopathy of prematurity, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Blood pressure was higher than that of controls among VLBW adults unexposed to maternal preeclampsia. Among those exposed, it was even higher, especially if born appropriate for gestational age. In conclusion, although female sex and maternal preeclampsia are additional risk factors, the risk of higher blood pressure is not limited to any etiologic subgroup of VLBW adults, arguing for vigilance in early detection of high blood pressure in all these individuals.
Subject
Life
CH - Child Health
ELSS - Earth, Life and Social Sciences
Healthy for Life
Health
Healthy Living
Follow-up studies
Hypertension
Infant
Preeclampsia
Retinopathy of prematurity
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:dae85c20-28a9-46cd-9898-aec2950f2f33
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1161/hypertensionaha.116.08167
TNO identifier
562959
Source
Hypertension, 68 (4), 880-887
Document type
article