Low vitamin D in early childhood predicts high BP in adolescence

Deficiency or insufficient levels of vitamin D in early childhood predisposes children to greater risk of high blood pressure during later childhood and adolescence.

·         Compared to children born with adequate vitamin D levels, low vitamin D status at birth was associated with higher risk of elevated systolic BP at ages 3 to 18 years: odds ratio, 1.38 (95% CI, 1.01–1.87).

·         Low vitamin D status in early childhood was associated with a 1.59-fold (95% CI, 1.02–2.46) higher risk of elevated systolic BP at age 6 to 18 years.

·         Children with persistently low levels of vitamin D through early childhood was associated with higher risk of elevated systolic BP (odds ratio, 2.04 [95% CI, 1.13–3.67]) at ages 3 to 18 years. 

The prospective birth cohort study published in the journal Hypertension followed 775 children from birth to age 18 at the Boston Medical Center. Most lived in a low-income urban area, and about two-thirds were African American.

Based on their findings, the researchers suggest that screening and treatment of vitamin D deficiency with supplementation during pregnancy and early childhood may prevent or reduce high BP later in life.

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA