A population study of blood pressure in infancy

Hypertension is a major risk factor in early death. Despite epidemiological studies in adults, no data exist on the prevalence and evolution of hypertension from the neonatal period. We have therefore embarked on a population study of 2000 infants born at Famborough Hospital in an attempt to identify a subgroup who may develop hypertension. Blood pressure is measured by a team of 4 nurses at home or in hospital at 4 days, and in the infants' homes at age 6 weeks, 6 months, 1, 2, and 3 years. A highly significant (P<0.001, r = 0.20) relationship has been found between blood pressure at age 4-6 days and blood pressure at age 5-7 weeks. If the correlation holds in later measurements, it would suggest that it may be possible to identify in the neonatal period a subgroup of children at risk from hypertension. No relationship was found between blood pressure and sodium intake, nor was there a difference in blood pressure between breast and bottle-fed babies at 6 weeks and 6 months.