Birth Weight, Height Of Infants Can Provide Insight On Future Heart Health, Study Says

Babies born with low birth weight and height are at a higher risk of developing several heart problems later in life, according to a study.

The study found that it is very important to check the body mass index, or BMI, and ponderal index, or PI, of a newborn during the initial screening to get an insight on the child’s future health problems.

Several studies have already suggested that low birth weight is linked to various health problems later in life, including lung problems. World Health Organisation (WHO) has described low birth weight as a “complex entity” that is composed of intrauterine growth restriction and preterm birth.

Some of the reasons for low birth weight are associated with the lifestyle of the mother, including her habits and diets. Unhealthy eating habits and behaviors, like smoking and drinking, are linked to low BMI.

The latest research published in the medical journal Early Human Development in May focussed on the importance of considering infant’s height to get a more accurate indication on the baby’s growth and future health.

A proportionate measurement of a newborn, which includes both birth weight and height, can help a doctor to find out if a child is born with any of risk of future heart problems, the research said.

The study further stated that birth weight, though an important factor, can only provide partial details about fetal growth. A complete picture of both fetal growth and growth trajectory can be figured out through an additional consideration on height.

“When you look at birth weight alone, you are looking at a measure at a single point in time, which is a big problem when it comes to projecting out,” corresponding author Brian Stansfield, who is a neonatologist at the Medical College of Georgia and Children's Hospital of Georgia at Augusta University, said in a statement.

The researcher that low birth weight and height should be considered a risk factor for the newborn. Babies born with low PI or low BMI at birth need more attention and intervention from the physician compared to those born with normal birth weight and height, just like the infants born with high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Previous studies have already suggested that several factors determining fetal growth including the genetic and environmental like the health and habits of a mother, gestational diabetes, nutrition and smoking, are associated with the heart health of an infant.

For the study, the researchers observed a total of 379 healthy adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years. Some of the participants had a low PI. In other words, the increases in their height and weight were out of sync during development.

The researchers found that low PI was associated with an increase in the size of left ventricle, which is an important pumping chamber of the heart. The large chamber is considered a risk for future cardiovascular disease, the study stated.

The study further said proportionality can help the doctors in differentiating babies who are born small due to some genetic factors and the ones who fail to reach their in-utero growth because of other reasons.

“What we are trying to do is understand how do we categorize these children at birth so that we know who to watch more closely and ideally intervene earlier to help offset some of these risks,” the study author said.

“We believe our findings are a call to pediatricians to be even more diligent in measuring and noting birth weight and length parameters,” Stansfield added.