Birthweight and subsequent risk of hypertension across two Chinese female generations

Objective To evaluate the cross-generational associations of birthweight with subsequent risk of hypertension in Chinese women. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 11 660 female residents with lineal blood relationship in Shanghai, China, from November 2012 to December 2016. Information on demographic characteristics, status at birth and lifestyle factors were collected. Body measurements were performed for participants aged over 20 years. Linear,no regression and path malysis were used to evaluated the strength of associations. Results Birthweight was not associated with blood pressure and hypertension in adulthood, with 1 kg increase in birthweight related to -0.2(-0.6-0.7), -0.3 (-0.6-0.2) and 0.3(-0.2-0.8) mmHg changes in systolic, diastolic and pulse pressures (all P<0.05). ORs and 95% CIs of hypertension in adulthood were 0.8 (0.5-1.2),1.0 (0.9-1.2), 0.8 (0.6-1.0) and 0.7 (0.4-1.2), respectively, for women with birthweight of <2.5, 3.0-, 3.5-and ≥ 4.0 kg relevant to those with birthweight of 2.5-kg. Path analysis showed positive correlations between maternal and daughters' birthweight, blood pressure and prevalence of hypertension (all P<0.05). The association between maternal birthweight and the risk of hypertension in daughters was not significant and was not mediated by daughters' birthweight. Conclusions Uteri nutrition may have no effect and intergenerational effect on blood pressure and the risk of hypertension in Chinese women.