Fetal growth and cardiovascular risk factors in Jamaican schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE

To determine relation between schoolchildren's blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin level, and cholesterol concentration and their anthropometry, socioeconomic status, and birth measurements.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

27 schools closest to University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.

SUBJECTS

2337 children aged 6-16 years who were born at university hospital were recruited, and their birth records were recovered: 1610 had suitable records, 659 had records including birth length, and 610 of these were prepubertal.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin level, serum cholesterol concentration, anthropometry at birth, current anthropometry, and socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

Multiple regression analysis showed that children's systolic blood pressure was inversely related to their birth weight (P < 0.0001) and directly related to their current weight. Glycated haemoglobin level was higher in children with thicker triceps skinfolds (P < 0.001) and who had been shorter at birth (P = 0.003). Serum cholesterol concentration was inversely related to current height (P = 0.001) and to length at birth (P = 0.09) and was directly related to triceps skinfold thickness and higher socioeconomic status (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Blood pressure in childhood was inversely related to birth weight and directly to current weight. Glycaemic control and serum cholesterol were related to short length at birth, height deficit in childhood, and childhood obesity.