Abstract
BackgroundVariations in cardiovascular disease risk (CVD) are suggested to be partly influenced by factors that affect prenatal growth patterns and outcomes, namely degree of maternal investment (proxied by birth weight and gestational age). Using the life history trajectory model, this study investigates whether maternal investment in early prenatal life associates with menarcheal age and whether maternal investment affects CVD risk in adulthood and predicts adult size and adiposity levels.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 94 healthy Emirati females. Birth weight, gestational age and menarcheal age were obtained. Anthropometrical measurements, body composition analysis, and blood pressure values were collected. Regression analyses were conducted to establish associations.ResultsThere was no association between birth weight standard deviation score (SDS) and age at menarche. When investigating the associations of birth weight SDS and age at menarche with growth indices, it was found that only birth weight was positively and significantly associated with both height (β = 1.342 cm, 95% CI (0.12, 2.57), p = 0.032) and leg length (β = 0.968 cm, 95% CI (0.08, 1.86), p = 0.034). Menarcheal age was significantly and inversely associated with fat mass index (FMI) (β = − 0.080 cm, 95% CI (− 0.13, − 0.03), p = 0.002), but not with waist circumference and fat free mass index (FFMI) (p > 0.05). Birth weight SDS was positively and significantly associated with waist circumference (β = 0.035 cm, 95% CI (0.01, 0.06), p = 0.009), FMI (β = 0.087 cm, 95% CI (0.01, 0.16), p = 0.027), and FFMI (β = 0.485 cm, 95% CI (0.17, 0.80), p = 0.003). Birth weight SDS was not significantly associated with either systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p > 0.05). However, FMI, waist circumference, and FFMI were positively and significantly associated with SBP. Regarding DBP, the relationship was negatively and significantly associated with only FFMI (β = − 1.6111 kg/m2, 95% CI (− 2.63, − 0.60), p = 0.002).ConclusionAlthough the results do not fully support that Emirati females fast-life history is associated with increased chronic disease risk, the data does suggest a link between restricted fetal growth in response to low maternal investment and metabolic and reproductive health.
Highlights
Variations in cardiovascular disease risk (CVD) are suggested to be partly influenced by factors that affect prenatal growth patterns and outcomes, namely degree of maternal investment
The study did not provide evidence for the proposed link between degree of maternal investment and menarcheal age, predictors of low maternal investment resulted in shorter height in adulthood
As for CVD risk, elevated blood pressure and adult central adiposity were linked to higher birth weight and/or gestational age, negating the hypothesis that weak maternal investment would result in hypertension
Summary
Variations in cardiovascular disease risk (CVD) are suggested to be partly influenced by factors that affect prenatal growth patterns and outcomes, namely degree of maternal investment (proxied by birth weight and gestational age). Hypertension is a highly prevalent condition that affects up to 1.13 billion adults all over the world and is highly incriminated in increased risk of CVD amongst other chronic conditions [7] Normal readings of both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) are essential to optimal functioning of all vital organs. Numerous factors contribute to the development of hypertension, including intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which has been linked to high BP in adulthood. This could be attributed to the effect that restricted growth has on the number of nephrons an individual develops, a number that is set at birth [5, 9]. Long term effect and relationship to CVD is still not fully explored as more work is needed to determine if these changes persist into adulthood and whether they impact the physical, respiratory, and cardiac functions [13]
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