Children born to mothers with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) face a heightened risk of cardiovascular health (CVH) issues between ages 10 and 14, according to a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
The prevalence of HDP and GDM has risen sharply, from 39 and 48 cases per 1,000 live births in 2007 to 78 and 64 per 1,000 in 2019. While these conditions are known to elevate cardiovascular risks in mothers post-pregnancy, their long-term impact on offspring health remains under investigation.
Researchers analyzed data from the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome Follow-Up Study, including 3,317 mother-child pairs. The mothers, with a median age of 30.4 years, had full-term deliveries and were free from chronic hypertension or pregestational diabetes. Offspring were assessed at a median age of 11.6 years.
CVH was evaluated based on body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels, categorized as ideal, intermediate, or poor. A total CVH score ranged from 0 to 8. At follow-up, 54.5% of children had at least one less-than-ideal CVH metric, with only 38.8% of those exposed to HDP and 39.7% of those exposed to GDM achieving ideal CVH.
After adjusting for variables, children born to mothers with HDP had a 14% higher risk of suboptimal CVH, while those exposed to GDM had a 10% increased risk. More severe maternal cardiovascular complications correlated with worse offspring outcomes.
The study underscores the lasting cardiovascular impact of maternal health during pregnancy. Researchers emphasize the need for further investigation into whether early CVH interventions in children born to affected mothers could mitigate long-term risks.
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