Title

The association of low birth weight and physiological risk factors of hypertension in African American adolescents

Authors

Authors

M. M. Covelli; C. E. Wood;H. N. Yarandi

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Cardiovasc. Nurs.

Keywords

blood pressure; cortisol; hypertension; low birth weight; JOINT NATIONAL COMMITTEE; HIGH BLOOD-PRESSURE; FETAL ORIGINS; SALIVARY; CORTISOL; YOUNG-ADULTS; METABOLIC SYNDROME; 7TH REPORT; STRESS; REACTIVITY; DISEASE; Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems; Nursing

Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW) has been associated with increased blood pressure and the development of cardiovascular disease including hypertension. Elevated blood pressure, cortisol, and hyperresponsiveness during physiologic stress may function as hypertension biological markers. We examined the association of blood pressure and cortisol levels during induced physiologic stress with LBW in an African American adolescent population (n = 106). Methods and Results: Birth weight was obtained from parents. Blood pressure and cortisol levels were measured at rest and in response to an induced physiological stressor. Compared with normal birth weight group (n = 73), the LBW group (n = 33) demonstrated elevated (+4 mm Hg) diastolic pressure (P = .002) and cortisol hyperresponsiveness (P = .05). Seventy-nine percent of LBW adolescents had elevated blood pressure and/or cardiovascular reactivity (P = .04), and 39% had elevated blood pressures. Conclusions: Low birth weight African American adolescents demonstrated physiological risk factors for hypertension, and these findings add support to the association between LBW and the development of hypertension.

Journal Title

Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

Volume

22

Issue/Number

6

Publication Date

1-1-2007

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

440

Last Page

447

WOS Identifier

WOS:000250850100010

ISSN

0889-4655

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