EARLY DETERMINANTS OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS IN ADULTS .B. BLOOD-PRESSURE

The aim of this follow-up study was to investigate the effect of birth weight, infant nutrition, past and contemporary social status and ant hropometry on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adult subjects. There were 465 boys and girls, originating from three different regio ns of Croatia, examined in the first three years of life, and again ap proximately 18 years later. The analyses showed that birth weight was inversely related to systolic blood pressure in adult subjects. The hi ghest systolic pressure was found in subjects with the lowest birth we ight and the greatest current body mass index. Relative weight in the first three years of life was also inversely related to systolic blood pressure, but only in adult males. Neither the type of milk given, no r the duration of breast feeding and the time of weaning had any signi ficant influence on blood pressure in adult subjects. According to mul tivariate regression analyses, the significant predictors of higher sy stolic and diastolic pressure in adult males were: lower father's heig ht, greater current body mass index, lower birth weight and low origin al social status. In female subjects, the significant predictors were: lower birth weight, greater current body mass index and lower social class of origin. In conclusion, influences of poor environment acting in early childhood may be important determinants of blood pressure in adulthood.