Uric acid and blood pressures in low birth weight 7-year-olds

Abstract

Background Low birth weight (LBW) has been associated with increased cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, during adulthood. Nephrogenesis impairment in LBW may lead to an increase of uric acid and hypertension. Objective To assess for a correlation between uric acid and blood pressures in LBW children. Methods This study was conducted from January to April 20 12. A comparative and correlative analytic-observational study with a cross-sectional method was done in children aged 7-8 years, born at Prof. Dr. RD Kandou General Hospital and living in Manado. Forty-eight LBW children and 48 normal birth weight (NBW) children were included in this study. All children underwent uric acid level and blood pressures measurements. Results Mean uric acid level in LBW children was significantly higher than in NBW children (P = 0.001) . There was no correlation between uric acid and blood pressures in LBW children(r=0.13, P> 0.05 for systolic blood pressure; r=0.05, P> 0.05 for diastolic blood pressure). Conclusioru; LBW children have higher uric acid levels than NBW children, but no correlation is found between uric acid level and blood pressures.

Keywords

• low birth weight, normal birth weight, uric acid, blood pressure