Is infant arterial stiffness associated with maternal blood pressure in pregnancy? Findings from a UK birth cohort (Baby VIP study).

Nigel A B Simpson,Darren C Greenwood,Ka Ying Bonnie Ng,Janet E Cade,Harry J Mcardle,Nisreen A Alwan,Etienne Ciantar

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0200159

Abstract

BackgroundIn adults, arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) is regarded as a predictor of cardiovascular disease. Infant vascular development depends on factors related to pregnancy, including maternal blood pressure (BP). This study assessed the association between maternal BP in pregnancy and infant brachio-femoral PWV at age 2–6 weeks.MethodsThe Baby Vascular health and Iron in Pregnancy (Baby VIP) study is a birth cohort which measured PWV and heart rate (HR) in 284 babies in Leeds, UK, at 2–6 weeks after birth. Maternal BP measurements at 12 and 36 weeks gestation was collected from antenatal clinical records. Multivariable linear regression models assessed associations between maternal systolic and diastolic BPs, and BP change from booking to 36 weeks, with infant PWV adjusting for covariables at both mother and baby level.ResultsThere was no evidence of an association between infant PWV and maternal systolic BP at booking (adjusted regression coefficient -0.01 m/s per 10mmHg, 95% CI -0.11, 0.14, p = 0.84) or at 36 weeks (adjusted regression coefficient 0.00 m/s per 10mmHg, 95% CI -0.12, 0.11, p = 0.95). Change between 12 and 36 weeks gestation of more than 30 mmHg in systolic BP or 15 mmHg in diastolic BP was also not associated with infant PWV. There was an inverse relationship between infant HR and infant PWV (regression coefficient -0.14 m/s per 10 bpm, 95% CI -0.22, -0.05, p<0.01).ConclusionsThis study has shown no evidence of association between infant PWV at 2–6 weeks of age and maternal BP in early or late pregnancy. Infant HR was inversely associated with infant PWV. Further studies are required to determine the predictors of infant PWV as well as the importance and long term implications of PWV measurements in infants.

Highlights

Adult aortic pulse wave velocity is an independent predictor for cardiovascular events in adults [1, 2]
There was no evidence of an association between infant pulse wave velocity (PWV) and maternal systolic blood pressure (BP) at booking or at 36 weeks
Change between 12 and 36 weeks gestation of more than 30 mmHg in systolic BP or 15 mmHg in diastolic BP was not associated with infant PWV

Summary

Introduction

Adult aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) is an independent predictor for cardiovascular events in adults [1, 2]. The measurement of PWV is a simple, non-invasive and reproducible method to determine arterial stiffness [1], and in adults displaces systolic blood pressure (SBP) or pulse pressure as a predictor for cardiovascular disease mortality. Increased SBP increases the myocardial oxygen demand by increasing the load on the left ventricle of the heart, and arterial stiffness has been associated with LVH [3, 4]. In both normotensive and hypertensive adults, LVH is another independent predictor of coronary events [5, 6]. Arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) is regarded as a predictor of cardiovascular disease. This study assessed the association between maternal BP in pregnancy and infant brachio-femoral PWV at age 2–6 weeks.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion