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

    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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