The Relationships between Birthweight and Arterial Blood Pressure

Abstract

Low birthweight has been associated with increased prevalence of essential hypertension in adulthood. Numerous hypotheses tried to explain this association pointing into insulin resistance, activation of adrenergic system, disturbances of renal and adrenal function as potential mechanisms. Elastin - a major component which determines arterial wall elastic properties, is synthesized mostly during intrauterine period, and low birthweight may be associated with diminished compliance of arteries leading to increased blood pressure. We have investigated the relationship between birthweight and elastic properties of large arteries in 119 normotensive, healthy volunteers aged 19-23. However, in our data there seems to be no relationship between birthweight and elasticity of large arteries in adulthood.