Early life influences on blood pressure in the Avon longitudinal study of parents and children

Abstract

Coronary heart disease and its risk factors (e.g. hypertension, diabetes) in adults are associated with infant mortality and low birthweight. These associations may reflect long-term biological changes occurring in fetal and early life that 'program' later risk of disease. Although evidence of progranuning in animals is well established, the role of programming in humans is less clear. In this thesis, the role of early life influences on blood pressure in children is explored in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a contemporary British cohort. Prenatal and childhood exposures (maternal smoking and iron status in pregnancy, infant sodium intake, child body composition) were assessed prospectively using questionnaires, diet diaries and in ALSPAC clinic assessments.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo