Abstract

PARDO RODRIGUEZ, Maira et al. Blood pressure levels in adolescents associated with low birth weight . Rev haban cienc méd [online]. 2010, vol.9, suppl.5, pp.630-640. ISSN 1729-519X.

The prevalence of hypertension in adolescents is unknown due to lack of clinical symptoms. Epidemiologic studies suggest that prenatal and postnatal nutrition can be an important factor in the pathogenesis of this disease. In our work we intended to confirm the association of low birth weight and age of menarche with the adolescent's blood pressure and at the mediating effect of menarche and body mass index. 112 female adolescents between 10 and 15 years of age were studied. Blood pressure, body mass index, age at menarche and four anthropometric variables were measured. Backward information on birth weight and length was also collected. Linear models were fitted to study the association between birth weight and blood pressure, adjusting for presumably mediator variables. None of the conjectures derived from recent literature could be confirmed, most likely due to the practical impossibility to control for gestational age.

Keywords : Adolescents; anthropometric measures; blood pressure.

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