Risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases among 5-year-old low birth weight children

Background Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD); however, the roles of specific clinical and biochemical attributes remain unknown. Methods In this two-center study, we investigated risk factors (RFs) for the development of CVD among 5-year-old LBW children. The assessed RFs were low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglyceride (TG) levels; urine protein/creatinine ratio (PCR); masked hypertension (HT); and non-dipping blood pressure (BP). Results A total of 110 children participated in this study (eight with a BW < 2500g, 58 with a BW < 1500g, and 44 with a BW < 1000g) and all six factors were successfully collected in 51 of the children. Over half (58.8%) of the children had at least one RF. Masked HT, elevated LDL, TG, PCR, decreased HDL and the presence of non-dipping BP were found in 13.2%, 16.7%, 13.6%, 17.8%, 8.2%, and 37.7% of participants, respectively. Increased growth velocity (GV) was associated with decreased HDL (OR 1.36, P  = 0.045) and lower risk of non-dipping BP (OR 0.83, P  = 0.0384). Small for gestational age (SGA) status (OR 3.59, P  = 0.0323), maternal anemia (OR 6.41, P  = 0.0356), and greater gestational age (GA) (OR 2.43 per 1 week of age, P  = 0.0004) were associated with proteinuria, while male sex was a protective factor (OR 0.16, P  = 0.0203). Conclusion There was a high prevalence of CVD RFs in 5-year-old LBW children. SGA status at birth, maternal anemia, female sex, and higher GA were associated with proteinuria. The role of GV in the etiopathogenesis of CVD remains controversial.