PREDICTORS OF BLOOD-PRESSURE AND LEFT-VENTRICULAR MASS IN THE YOUNG - THE HYPERTENSION IN PREGNANCY OFFSPRING STUDY

The present study evaluates potential predictors for the future blood pressure and left ventricular mass in children. Fifty-two children were studied at mean age 12.6 +/- 1.5 years and reexamined after 5.6 years. Thirty-six children were born to mothers who had hypertension during pregnancy and 16 children were born after normotensive pregnancies by mothers who remained normotensive at followup. Blood pressure was measured at rest and during physical exercise. Left ventricular mass was calculated from M-mode echocardiography, and erythrocyte sodium and potassium concentrations were determined. A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to predict subsequent blood pressure and left ventricular mass. Final systolic blood pressure was best explained by initial systolic blood pressure, erythrocyte potassium concentration, gender, and erythrocyte sodium concentration. Final diastolic blood pressure was best explained by erythrocyte potassium concentration. Gender and initial left ventricular mass were predictors of left ventricular mass at follow-up. This prospective study corroborates previous findings that blood pressure measured in children predicts their future blood pressure. Furthermore, an independent inverse relationship between childhood erythrocyte potassium concentration and adolescent blood pressure is demonstrated. Male gender and an early increased left ventricular mass are independent predictors of an increased left ventricular mass in adolescents.