Low length-for-age Z-score within 1 month after birth predicts hyperdynamic circulation at the age of 21 years in rural Malawi

Abstract

Low birth weight predisposes to the development of hypertension in middle- and high-income countries. We examined the relation of early life length-for-age score (Z-score) on cardiovascular function in young adults in Malawi, a low-income country. Capture of supine, seated, and standing brachial pulse waveforms (Mobil-O-Graph) were performed in 223 females and 152 males (mean age 21 years), and analyzed according to the length-for-age Z-score tertiles during the first month of life. Plasma LDL cholesterol in young adulthood was slightly lower in the lowest versus highest tertile. Otherwise, blood hemoglobin and plasma chemistry were similar in all tertiles. Irrespective of posture, blood pressure, forward and backward wave amplitudes, and pulse wave velocity were corresponding in all tertiles. In the three postures, the lowest tertile presented with 4.5% lower systemic vascular resistance than the highest tertile (p = 0.005), and 4.4% and 5.5% higher cardiac output than the middle and highest tertiles, respectively (p < 0.01). Left cardiac work was 6.8% and 6.9% higher in the lowest tertile than in the middle and highest tertiles, respectively (p < 0.01). To conclude, in a low-income environment, low length-for-age Z-score after birth predicted hyperdynamic circulation at 21 years of age without changes in blood pressure and metabolic variables.