Relationship Between Low Birth Weight And Cardiovascular Risks In The Teen-age

Aim: Previous studies have demonstrated that in utero growth restriction can cause long-term effects in cardiovascular systems in the offspring. The present study determined the correlation between low birth weight (LBW) and cardiovascular risks in the teen-age.Method: Subjects: male and female teen-ages (17～22 year-old) in Yancheng area. The total teen-age boys and girls is this study was 1055. Their height, body weight, blood pressure, heart rate were measured. Among them, 20 teen-ages with LBW history and other 20 with normal birth weight history were randomly selected, and divided into two groups (the LBW group and the control group). The teenage in both groups were further examined for their blood values, plasma hormones, electrocardiogram, and cardiac ultrasound. Difference was analyzed between the experiment group and control group.Result: The retrospective survey showed that the low body weight rate in the teen-ages examined was 11.1%. There was no significant difference in body weight, blood pressure and heart rate level of different sex investigated object. The results are:(1) No significant difference for the body weight and the physique index between the control and experimental (the LBW) groups (P>0.05); (2) Systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure were higher in the LBW groups than that in the control group (P<0.05 and 0.01, respectively); (3) Compared to the control, plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower in the LBW group,but no significant difference for others; (4) There was no distinctive difference in the cardiac ultrasound examination; (5) Plasma insulin level was significantly higher in the LBW group than that in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: In Yancheng area, cardiovascular risks, including blood pressure, TC, and INS, in the low birth weight juvenile's (17～22 years old) were significantly higher. The results indicate that in utero influence that caused LBW may induce imprinting effects in the offspring, and programming in fetal origins may impact on cardiovascular systems in development of adult diseases.