Children born to mothers with cardiometabolic health issues before or during pregnancy may face a higher risk of elevated blood pressure in childhood and adolescence, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open. The research highlights the long-term impact of maternal health on children’s cardiovascular well-being, emphasizing the need for early prevention strategies.
The study, part of the NIH’s ECHO Program, analyzed data from 12,480 mother-child pairs to explore the relationship between maternal cardiometabolic risk factors, such as pre-pregnancy obesity, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure during pregnancy, and children’s blood pressure from ages 2 to 18.
Key findings revealed that 44% of mothers had at least one cardiometabolic risk factor during pregnancy. Children whose mothers had multiple conditions, like gestational diabetes combined with high blood pressure, showed higher average blood pressure readings compared to those with mothers who had only one risk factor. The study also noted a faster rate of blood pressure increase over time in these children, with notable differences in diastolic pressure for girls and systolic pressure for non-Hispanic Black children.
Dr. Zhongzheng Niu, a researcher from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, emphasized the importance of early intervention: “With declines in cardiometabolic health, it’s crucial to focus on prevention starting as early as possible. Our findings suggest that improving maternal health before and during pregnancy could benefit both mothers and future generations.”
The study underscores the significant role of maternal cardiometabolic health in shaping children’s long-term cardiovascular outcomes. Researchers call for further studies to investigate how combinations of maternal health issues and social factors contribute to these risks. The findings highlight the potential for early preventive measures to improve health outcomes across generations.
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