Birth weight and cardiovascular disease: The NHLBI Family Heart Study

Abstract

P66 Epidemiologic studies have been inconsistent on the association between low birth weight and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Little is known about potential mechanisms by which determinants of low birth weight affect CVD. We used data collected on 2,540 participants of the NHLBI Family Heart Study to assess the relation of birth weight to CVD, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Birth weight was obtained by self report. CVD was defined as positive history of myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery, congestive heart failure, or stroke. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure of at least 140 mm Hg, or diastolic pressure of at least 90 mm Hg, or use of antihypertensive medication. Diabetes mellitus was ascertained by medical history and pathologic blood sugar levels. We used generalized estimating equations to assess the prevalence odds ratios, adjusting for age, risk group, anthropometric, metabolic, and lifestyle factors. Prevalence odds ratios (95% CI) are presented below. Low birth weight was associated with increased prevalence odds of CVD compared with normal and large babies (p=0.0012). The trend was suggestive of increased prevalence odds of hypertension (p=0.05) and diabetes mellitus (p=0.0012) from the highest to the lowest category of birth weight. In conclusion, low birth weight was associated with increased prevalence odds ratio of CVD, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Low birth weight may add to other traditional risk factors in identifying subjects at low and high risk of CVD. Table 1.