Maternal Carbohydrate Intake Research Articles

Carbohydrate-Mediated Pregnancy Gut Microbiota and Neonatal Low Birth Weight.

The effects of gut microbiota on the association between carbohydrate intake during pregnancy and neonatal low birth weight (LBW) were investigated. A prospective cohort study was conducted with 257 singleton-born mother-child pairs in Taiwan, and maternal dietary intake was estimated using a questionnaire, with each macronutrient being classified as low, medium, or high. Maternal fecal samples were collected between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation, and gut microbiota composition and diversity were profiled using 16S rRNA amplicon gene sequencing. Carbohydrates were the major source of total energy (56.61%), followed by fat (27.92%) and protein (15.46%). The rate of infant LBW was 7.8%, which was positively correlated with maternal carbohydrate intake. In the pregnancy gut microbiota, Bacteroides ovatus and Dorea spp. were indirectly and directly negatively associated with fetal growth, respectively; Rosenburia faecis was directly positively associated with neonatal birth weight. Maternal hypertension during pregnancy altered the microbiota features and was associated with poor fetal growth. Microbiota-accessible carbohydrates can modify the composition and function of the pregnancy gut microbiota, thus providing a potential marker to modulate deviations from dietary patterns, particularly in women at risk of hypertension during pregnancy, to prevent neonatal LBW.

Impact of maternal dietary carbohydrate intake and vitamin D-related genetic risk score on birth length: the Vitamin D Pregnant Mother (VDPM) cohort study

BackgroundOur objectives were to investigate the relationship between maternal vitamin D status and IGF-1 levels in healthy Minangkabau pregnant mothers and their impact on newborn anthropometry outcomes and to examine whether this relationship was modified by dietary intake using a nutrigenetic approach.MethodsHealthy singleton pregnant mother and infant pairs (n = 183) were recruited. We created three genetic risk scores (GRSs): a six-SNP GRS based on six vitamin D-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) involved in the synthesis of vitamin D (vitamin D-GRS), a two-SNP GRS using SNPs in VDR genes (VDR-GRS) and a four-SNP GRS using SNPs from DHCR7, GC, CYP24A1 and CYP2R1 genes (non-VDR GRS). The effect of the GRSs on IGF-1, vitamin D and newborn anthropometry and the interaction between the GRSs and dietary factors were tested using linear regression analysis.ResultsThe vitamin D- and non-VDR GRSs were significantly associated with lower 25(OH)D concentration (p = 0.005 and p = 0.001, respectively); however, there was no significant association with IGF-1, and newborn anthropometry outcomes. However, there was a significant interaction of VDR-GRS with carbohydrate intake on birth length outcome (Pinteraction = 0.032). Pregnant mothers who had higher carbohydrate intake (405.88 ± 57.16 g/day) and who carried ≥ 2 risk alleles of VDR-GRS gave birth to babies with significantly lower birth lengths compared to babies born to mothers with < 2 risk alleles (p = 0.008).ConclusionThis study identified a novel interaction between VDR-GRS and carbohydrate intake on birth length outcome. These findings suggest that reducing the intake of carbohydrates during pregnancy, particularly for those who have a higher genetic susceptibility, might be an effective approach for preventing foetal growth abnormalities.

Maternal carbohydrate intake during pregnancy is associated with child peripubertal markers of metabolic health but not adiposity.

To examine the associations of trimester-specific maternal prenatal carbohydrate (CHO) intake with offspring adiposity and metabolic health during peripuberty. Prospective cohort study in which maternal dietary intake was collected via validated FFQ during each trimester. Offspring adiposity and metabolic biomarkers were evaluated at age 8-14 years. We used multivariable linear regression to examine associations between total energy-adjusted maternal CHO intake and offspring BMI z-score, skinfold thickness and metabolic syndrome risk z-score calculated as the average of waist circumference, fasting glucose, fasting C-peptide, TAG:HDL and systolic blood pressure + diastolic blood pressure/2. Mexico City, Mexico. 237 mother-child pairs in the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants cohort. We found non-linear associations of maternal CHO intake during pregnancy with offspring metabolic health during peripuberty. After adjusting for maternal age, and child age, sex and pubertal status, children whose mothers were in the fourth v. first quartile of total CHO intake during the third trimester had 0·42 (95 % CI -0·01, 0·08) ng/ml lower C-peptide and 0·10 (95 % CI -0·02, 0·22) units lower C-peptide insulin resistance (CP-IR). We found similar magnitude and direction of association with respect to net CHO intake during the first trimester and offspring C-peptide and CP-IR. Maternal CHO intake during pregnancy was not associated with offspring adiposity. In this study of mother-child pairs in Mexico City, children born to women in the highest quartile of CHO intake during pregnancy had lowest C-peptide and CP-IR during peripuberty. Additional research is warranted to replicate and identify mechanisms.

Maternal carbohydrate intake modulates the polyol pathway and the response to a fructose supplementation in female adult offspring

Background and Aims: Fructose consumption has increased considerably, similar the expansion of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Further, maternal intake is a key factor involved in the development of diseases in offspring. Present work studies the effect of maternal carbohydrate intake on lipids and glucose metabolism in adult offspring.

Reduction in Maternal Energy Intake during Lactation Decreased Maternal Body Weight and Concentrations of Leptin, Insulin and Adiponectin in Human Milk without Affecting Milk Production, Milk Macronutrient Composition or Infant Growth.

Maternal diet has the potential to affect human milk (HM) composition, but very few studies have directly assessed the effect of maternal diets on HM composition. The primary aim of this study was to assess the effect of improving dietary quality in lactating women over 2 weeks on the concentrations of macronutrients and metabolic hormones in HM. The secondary aims were to assess the impact of the dietary intervention on 24 h milk production, maternal body composition and infant growth. Fifteen women completed a 1-week baseline period followed by a 2-week dietary intervention phase targeted towards reducing fat and sugar intake. Maternal anthropometric and body composition and infant growth measurements were performed weekly. Total 24 h milk production was measured before and after the dietary intervention, and HM samples were collected daily. Maternal intakes of energy (−33%), carbohydrate (−22%), sugar (−29%), fat (−54%) and saturated fat (−63%) were significantly reduced during the dietary intervention. HM insulin, leptin and adiponectin concentrations were 10–25% lower at the end of the dietary intervention, but HM concentrations of macronutrients were unaffected. Maternal body weight (−1.8%) and fat mass (−6.3%) were significantly reduced at the end of the dietary intervention, but there were no effects on 24 h milk production or infant growth. These results suggest that reducing maternal energy, carbohydrate, fat and sugar intake over a 2-week period is associated with significant reductions in HM insulin, leptin and adiponectin concentrations. These changes may be secondary to decreases in maternal weight and fat mass. The limited studies to date that have investigated the association between metabolic hormone concentrations in HM and infant growth raise the possibility that the changes in HM composition observed in the current study could impact infant growth and adiposity, but further studies are required to confirm this hypothesis.

Maternal Dietary Carbohydrate Intake and Newborn Aortic Wall Thickness.

Evidence from animal models indicates that maternal diet during pregnancy affects offspring cardiometabolic health. Improving carbohydrate quality during high-risk pregnancies reduces aortic intima-medial thickness; a marker for early atherosclerosis; in the infant offspring. We sought to determine whether maternal carbohydrate quantity and quality are associated with newborn aortic intima-medial thickness in healthy pregnancies. Maternal diet throughout pregnancy was evaluated in 139 mother–child dyads using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Carbohydrate intake was expressed as quantity (% total energy), quality (fibre, glycaemic index), and glycaemic burden (glycaemic load). Aortic intima-medial thickness was measured by high-frequency ultrasound of the neonatal abdominal aorta. Neither quantity nor quality of maternal carbohydrate intake during pregnancy was associated with meaningful differences in offspring maximum aortic intima-medial thickness with the exception of fibre intake in women with overweight or obesity which was inversely associated (−8 μm [95% CI −14, −1] per g fibre, p = 0.04). In healthy pregnancy, the quantity and quality of maternal carbohydrate intake is likely not a meaningful modifiable lifestyle factor for influencing offspring vascular health. The effect of carbohydrate quality may only be evident in high-risk pregnancies, consistent with previous findings. These findings may be confirmed in prospective dietary trials in pregnancy.

FGF21-protection against fructose-induced lipid accretion and oxidative stress is influenced by maternal nutrition in male progeny

Abstract Fructose intake from added sugars correlates with the epidemic rise in metabolic syndrome. Nevertheless, consumption of beverages sweetened with fructose is allowed in gestation. We have studied how adult male progeny from control (C/F), fructose- (F/F) and glucose-fed (G/F) mothers respond to liquid fructose (10% wt/vol), and compared them to the control group (C/C). Interestingly, plasma levels of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) were augmented in fructose-fed males, mainly in F/F group. FGF21 has proven to be a protective agent against steatosis and oxidative stress. Accordingly, FGF21 protected against fructose-induced lipid accumulation in livers of C/F and F/F males, but not in G/F. However, fructose-induced lipid oxidation was found in the adipose tissue of F/F males due to an impaired response of their antioxidant system. Maternal carbohydrate intake does influence the adult male offspring’s response to liquid fructose presumably by affecting the FGF21 function.

The Influence of Maternal Body Composition and Carbohydrate Intake on Inflammation

The Influence of Maternal Body Composition and Carbohydrate Intake on Inflammation

Impact of Maternal Nutrition and Perinatal Factors on Breast Milk Composition after Premature Delivery

(1) Background: Premature infants require mothers’ milk fortification to meet nutrition needs, but breast milk composition may be variable, leading to the risk of inadequate nutrition. We aimed at determining the factors influencing mothers’ milk macronutrients. (2) Methods: Milk samples were analyzed for the first five weeks after premature delivery by infrared spectroscopy. Mothers’ nutritional intake data were obtained during standardized interviews with dieticians, and then analyzed with reference software. (3) Results: The composition of 367 milk samples from 81 mothers was (median (range) g/100 mL): carbohydrates 6.8 (4.4–7.3), lipids 3.4 (1.3–6.4), proteins 1.3 (0.1–3.1). There was a relationship between milk composition and mothers’ carbohydrates intake only (r = 0.164; p < 0.01). Postnatal age was correlated with milk proteins (r = −0.505; p < 0.001) and carbohydrates (r = +0.202, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses showed (coefficient) a relationship between milk proteins r = 0.547 and postnatal age (−0.028), carbohydrate intake (+0.449), and the absence of maturation (−0.066); associations were also found among milk lipids r = 0.295, carbohydrate intake (+1.279), and smoking (−0.557). Finally, there was a relationship among the concentration of milk carbohydrates r = 0.266, postnatal age (+0.012), and smoking (−0.167). (4) Conclusions: The variability of mothers’ milk composition is differentially associated for each macronutrient with maternal carbohydrate intake, antenatal steroids, smoking, and postnatal age. Improvement in milk composition could be achieved by the modification of these related factors.

Diet and physical activity in pregnancy and offspring's cardiovascular health: a systematic review.

There is increasing evidence linking maternal diet and physical activity before and during pregnancy with offspring's cardiovascular health. Although many studies examined this association, the evidence has not been reviewed systematically. We therefore undertook a systematic review to synthesize evidence examining the association of maternal diet and physical activity before and during pregnancy with offspring's blood pressure and vascular health. We systematically searched the databases MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to June 30, 2017. Eligibility screening, data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. A total of 19 articles were included comprising three randomized controlled trials and 16 observational studies. Of the studies that examined the association of interest, 60% (three out of five studies) showed that high maternal carbohydrate intake was associated with higher offspring's blood pressure. Maternal protein intake during pregnancy was negatively associated with offspring carotid intima-media thickness in two out of two studies. No consistent findings for maternal fatty acid intake were found. There were too few studies to draw conclusions on energy intake, fibre intake, protein/carbohydrate ratio, specific foods, dietary patterns and maternal physical activity. Heterogeneity in exposure and outcome assessment hampered pooling. Also, owing to the observational nature of most studies, causality cannot be established. Harmonization of valid exposure and outcome measurements, and the development of core outcome sets are needed to enable more robust conclusions.

Effects of Maternal Carbohydrate and Fat Intake on Fetal Telomere Length.

Telomere length can be affected by dietary factors in adults. We investigated the association between maternal carbohydrate and fat intake during pregnancy and telomere length in neonatal cord blood leukocytes. We hypothesized that high fat consumption and high carbohydrate consumption would be associated with shortened fetal telomere length. We collected umbilical cord blood at delivery from women admitted for labor and delivery in a university hospital (N = 62) and extracted genomic DNA using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We quantified telomere length using the telomere-to-single copy gene ratio method (T:S ratio). High carbohydrate intake was defined as consumption of >175 g/day and high fat intake as >35 g/day. We performed generalized linear regression modeling and bootstrap statistical analyses to derive precise estimates of association. Of the 62 maternal-fetal dyads included in this study, 79% were classified as high carbohydrate consumers and 37% were classified as high fat consumers. High fat consumption had a significant negative effect on T:S ratio (P < 0.05). Although high carbohydrate consumption was associated with a decreased T:S ratio, this relation did not attain statistical significance. To our knowledge, this study is the first evidence of an association between maternal high fat consumption and shortened fetal telomere length. These findings could enhance our understanding of the role of maternal diet in fetal programming.

Impact of Second Trimester Maternal Dietary Intake on Gestational Weight Gain and Neonatal Birth Weight.

Poor maternal nutrition is a major contributor to the high incidence of low birth weight deliveries in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the impact of second trimester maternal dietary intake on gestational weight gain and neonatal birth weight. A longitudinal study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka. Participants were 141 pregnant women at 18–24 weeks gestation who were followed up until delivery. Maternal dietary intake was assessed using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire at 21.1 ± 1.8 gestational weeks. Gestational weight gain was examined at the end of 28 weeks gestation and at the end of pregnancy. Energy and nutrient intakes were calculated using NutriSurvey 2007 (EBISpro, Willstaett, Germany) nutrient analysis software, modified for Sri Lankan foods. The mean total gestational weight gain of women with low carbohydrate intake (229–429 g/day) was 2.2 kg less than that of women with moderate carbohydrate intake (430–629 g/day) (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.428–4.083 kg; p = 0.016). Similarly, babies of women with low carbohydrate intake were 312 g lighter compared with those of women with a moderate carbohydrate intake (95% CI 91–534 g; p = 0.006). Our results suggest that second trimester maternal carbohydrate intake has significant impacts on total gestational weight gain and neonatal birth weight.

Traditional Galactagogue Foods and Their Connection to Human Milk Volume in Thai Breastfeeding Mothers.

Thai traditional galactagogue consumption is still observed today. However, there are few scientific studies that describe this practice. Research aim: The aim of this study was to describe the connection between traditional galactagogue consumption and human milk volume. Self-reported maternal surveys ( N = 36) were conducted of mothers and their infants who breastfeed exclusively. The mothers were interviewed about traditional galactagogue consumption and intake of protein-rich foods using a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. They were also assessed for energy and nutrient intake using the 24-hr dietary recall method. Their infants were between 1 and 3 months of age and were test weighed for 24 hr to measure their mother's own milk volume. Partial correlation was used to test the relationship between galactagogue consumption and milk volume by controlling the infants' birth weight, weight-for-age, maternal energy, and carbohydrate intake. The results revealed that consumption of some traditional galactagogues was significantly correlated to human milk volume, including banana flower, lemon basil, Thai basil, bottle gourd, and pumpkin ( p < .05). Furthermore, there were significant correlations between consumption of some kinds of protein and milk volume, including egg tofu, chicken, fish, and seafood ( p < .05). Maternal energy and carbohydrate intake were related to milk volume ( p < .05), but protein intake was not. Certain kinds of traditional galactagogues and proteins are associated with human milk volume. However, studies related to the active ingredients in these galactagogues are required to secure a recommendation about use of traditional galactagogues among breastfeeding mothers.

Associations of maternal macronutrient intake during pregnancy with infant BMI peak characteristics and childhood BMI1–3

Background: Infant body mass index (BMI) peak characteristics and early childhood BMI are emerging markers of future obesity and cardiometabolic disease risk, but little is known about their maternal nutritional determinants.Objective: We investigated the associations of maternal macronutrient intake with infant BMI peak characteristics and childhood BMI in the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes study.Design: With the use of infant BMI data from birth to age 18 mo, infant BMI peak characteristics [age (in months) and magnitude (BMIpeak; in kg/m2) at peak and prepeak velocities] were derived from subject-specific BMI curves that were fitted with the use of mixed-effects model with a natural cubic spline function. Associations of maternal macronutrient intake (assessed by using a 24-h recall during late gestation) with infant BMI peak characteristics (n = 910) and BMI z scores at ages 2, 3, and 4 y were examined with the use of multivariable linear regression.Results: Mean absolute maternal macronutrient intakes (percentages of energy) were 72 g protein (15.6%), 69 g fat (32.6%), and 238 g carbohydrate (51.8%). A 25-g (∼100-kcal) increase in maternal carbohydrate intake was associated with a 0.01/mo (95% CI: 0.0003, 0.01/mo) higher prepeak velocity and a 0.04 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.08) higher BMIpeak. These associations were mainly driven by sugar intake, whereby a 25-g increment of maternal sugar intake was associated with a 0.02/mo (95% CI: 0.01, 0.03/mo) higher infant prepeak velocity and a 0.07 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.13) higher BMIpeak. Higher maternal carbohydrate and sugar intakes were associated with a higher offspring BMI z score at ages 2–4 y. Maternal protein and fat intakes were not consistently associated with the studied outcomes.Conclusion: Higher maternal carbohydrate and sugar intakes are associated with unfavorable infancy BMI peak characteristics and higher early childhood BMI. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01174875.

SUN-P226: The Relationship between Maternal Carbohydrate Intake and Birth Weight

SUN-P226: The Relationship between Maternal Carbohydrate Intake and Birth Weight

Maternal Employment Status, Ethnicity, Food Intake, and Their Effects on Teenage Obesity, in Surakarta

Background : Obesity is one of the main causesof premature death in adulthood. The prevalence of teenage obesity in Indonesia hasbeen increasing from 1.4% in 2007 to 7.3%. It is hypothesized that the risk of obesity is influenced by lifestyle and socio-economic status. This study aimed to determine the effect of maternal job status, ethnicity, and food intake, on the risk of obesity in teenagers. Subjects and Method: This was an analytical observational using case-control design. This study was conducted in Surakarta, in September – November 2016. A total of 120 teenagers were selected for the study, consisting of 41obese teenagers aged 16-18 years old and 79 normal weight teenagers, using fixed disease sampling. The dependent variable was obesity. The independent variables were maternal employment status, ethnicity, carbohydrate intake, fat intake, and energy intake. The data were collected using a set of questionnaires. Food intake was measured by 24 hour food recall. The data were analyzed using path analysis model. Result s : Energy intake had positive, significant, and direct effect on the risk of teenage obesity (b = 6.75; 95%CI = 4.36 to 9.14; p = <0.001). Working mother indirectly had positive and significant effect on teenage obesity, via fat intake (b=0.77; 95% CI = 0.03 to 1.52; p=0.040). Fat intake indirectly had positive and significant effect on teenage obesity, via energy intake (b=4.16; 95%CI=1.95 to 6.38; p=0.001). Likewise, carbohydrateintake had positive and significant effect on teenage obesity, via energy intake(b = 3.31; 95% CI= 1.73 to 4.88; p = 0.001). Ethnicity (Chinese versus Javanese) did not have significant effect on teenage obesity (b =-1.14; 95% CI =-3.56 to 1.28; p = 0.355). Conclusion : Energy intake has direct effect on the risk of teenage obesity. Fat intake, carbohydrate intake, and maternal employment status, have indirect effect on the risk of teenage obesity. Keywords : maternal employment status, ethnicity,food intake, obesity, teenager. Correspondence: Rahmah Purwaningsih Febri Susanti. Master Program in Public Health Sebelas Maret University. Email: rahmahpfs77@gmail.com Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health (2016), 1(2): 75-85 https://doi.org/10.26911/jepublichealth.2016.01.02.01

High fructose consumption in pregnancy alters the perinatal environment without increasing metabolic disease in the offspring.

Maternal carbohydrate intake is one important determinant of fetal body composition, but whether increased exposure to individual sugars has long-term adverse effects on the offspring is not well established. Therefore, we examined the effect of fructose feeding on the mother, placenta, fetus and her offspring up to 6 months of life when they had been weaned onto a standard rodent diet and not exposed to additional fructose. Dams fed fructose were fatter, had raised plasma insulin and triglycerides from mid-gestation and higher glucose near term. Maternal resistance arteries showed changes in function that could negatively affect regulation of blood pressure and tissue perfusion in the mother and development of the fetus. Fructose feeding had no effect on placental weight or fetal metabolic profiles, but placental gene expression for the glucose transporter GLUT1 was reduced, whereas the abundance of sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter-2 was raised. Offspring born to fructose-fed and control dams were similar at birth and had similar post-weaning growth rates, and neither fat mass nor metabolic profiles were affected. In conclusion, raised fructose consumption during reproduction results in pronounced maternal metabolic and vascular effects, but no major detrimental metabolic effects were observed in offspring up to 6 months of age.

Factors associated to leptin longitudinal trends throughout pregnancy differ according to pre‐gestational BMI (371.4)

Objective: To assess if longitudinal trends of leptin in pregnancy are influenced by biochemical, anthropometric and lifestyle factors in women with normal weight (NW) or excessive weight (WE) pre‐gestational body mass index (BMI). Methods: Prospective cohort of 232 pregnant women followed at 8‐13th, 20‐26th and 30‐36th gestational weeks. The effect of anthropometric, biochemical, sociodemographic and life‐style variables on longitudinal behavior of plasmatic leptin concentrations, stratifying for NW (18.5‐24.9kg/m2) and EW (蠅25kg/m2) pre‐gestational BMI was assessed through longitudinal linear mixed‐effects models. Results: Leptin median values were 20.4, 32.1, and 31.6 ng/dL, respectively for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester. The multiple regression model for women with NW revealed associations of body weight (β=0.705, SE=0.110), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (β=‐59.197, SE=30.361), serum HDL‐cholesterol (β=0.231, SE=0.072) and C‐reactive protein (β=‐0.140, SE=0.067) with plasmatic leptin levels. In women with EW, serum HDL‐cholesterol (β=0.441, SE=0.145), body weight (β=0.663, SE=0.116), triglycerides levels (β=‐0.061, SE=0.027) and carbohydrate intake (β=0.029, SE=0.015) were significantly associated to leptin. Conclusion: Maternal weight, lipid profile, CRP and carbohydrate intake were associated with leptin changes throughout pregnancy, but some of these factors differ according to pre‐gestational BMI.Grant Funding Source: Supported by FAPERJ and CNPq

Abstracts fromThe Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine 18th Annual International MeetingPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaNovember 21–24, 2013

Abstracts fromThe Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine 18th Annual International MeetingPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaNovember 21–24, 2013

Impact of intrauterine and post-natal nutritional determinants on blood pressure at 4 years of age

To prospectively study how the early nutritional environment can programme blood pressure in a well-nourished population of children. By means of multivariate modelling, we assessed whether gestational and post-natal dietary intakes and growth influence childhood blood pressure programming in a cohort of 109 healthy mother-child pairs. They had been followed from early pregnancy until the children reached 4years of age. Dietary intakes were evaluated using 3-day food diaries. Blood pressure levels in the children were measured using an automated oscillometric DINAMAP ProCare 100 (Criticon, Tampa, FL, USA) at the age of 4years. In the final multivariate model, the predictor variables of childhood systolic blood pressure were maternal dietary carbohydrate and fat intake during pregnancy, as well as childhood weight and dietary fat intake at 4years of age. Systolic blood pressure levels in the children were found to be positively associated with the maternal carbohydrate intake (P=0.003), whereas blood pressure levels were lowest in children exposed to the middle tertile of maternal dietary fat intake during pregnancy (P=0.003) and whose own dietary fat intake was in the middle tertile at the age of 4years (P=0.013). The model also showed that heavier children have a higher systolic blood pressure (P<0.001). None of the maternal clinical characteristics fulfilled the criterion to be included in the model. The only determinant underlying childhood diastolic blood pressure was childhood weight at 4years of age (r=0.289, P=0.026). Interventions focusing on cardiovascular health in young women during pregnancy and their children should be considered to reduce cardiovascular diseases risk factors in these children.