Blood pressure values in children with intrauterine growth retardation.

BACKGROUND

Low birth weight has been shown to be strongly related to hypertension in adult life.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether blood pressure is higher in children with intrauterine growth retardation than in control subjects.

METHODS

Blood pressure was measured in 58 children aged 4-6 years with IUGR and in 58 age-matched controls. The control children, whose birth weight was appropriate for gestational age, were also matched for gestational age.

RESULTS

The children with IUGR had significantly higher mean values of systolic (P < 0.05) and diastolic blood pressures (P < 0.05) and mean arterial pressure (P < 0.05). Significant differences in blood pressure values were found between preterm IUGR (n = 21) and preterm controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that children with IUGR may be at higher risk of hypertension already in childhood.