Maternal and childhood nutrition and later blood pressure levels in young Guatemalan adults

Background Low birth weight and subsequent rapid child growth are associated with later blood pressure levels. The role of maternal and child nutrition in this association remains unclear. Methods We studied 450 men and women (ages 21-29 years) born during a randomized trial of protein-energy supplementation (Atole) vs low energy/no protein supplementation (Fresco) in pregnancy and early childhood in four rural Guatemalan villages from 1969 to 1977. Results Protein-energy supplementation was not associated with differences in blood pressure in adulthood (diastolic blood pressure (DBP): beta = 0.69 mm Hg, 95% confidence internal (CI) (-0.82-2.19); P = 0.37; systolic blood pressure (SBP): beta = 0.17 mm Hg, 95% Cl (-1.68-2.02); P = 0.86). Within the Atole group, maternal height was associated with later SBP (0.22 mm Hg/cm, 95% CI (-0.002-0.45); P = 0.05). No other associations between maternal nutritional status, birth size, child growth, or supplement intake were observed for adult blood pressure. Conclusions Our data do not support the role of maternal nutrition during pregnancy, birth size, or early child growth in programming adult blood pressure. Likewise, we found no effect of protein-energy supplementation in pregnancy or in early childhood on blood pressure in young adults.