Birth weight and arterial hypertension

Abstract

Purpose of review: To provide an overview of available evidence of the relationship between birth weight and future hypertension development.

Recent findings: Fetal programming plays a significant role in future hypertension. Both low and high birth weight are able to influence weight gain during childhood, adult weight and blood pressure values during childhood and adulthood. To date, an increasing amount of evidence is available especially for the relationship between low birth weight and hypertension, supported also by pathophysiological studies.

Summary: In the era of personalized medicine, the possibility to reduce cardiovascular risk before or soon after birth and intervene on risk factors during childhood is appealing and promising for the future.