Birth weight predicts both proteinuria and overweight/obesity in a rural population of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians

Abstract

The risk for many chronic diseases appears to be mediated in part by birth weight. Among Aboriginal Canadians, the prevalence of end-stage renal disease and cardiovascular disease risk is disproportionately high, largely because of elevated diabetes prevalence. The relationships between birth weight (and other potential risk factors) and diabetes, hypertension, proteinuria and overweight/obesity were explored in 1439 rural Albertans (Canada), of whom 67.3% were Aboriginal. At voluntary outreach screening programs, demographic and clinical data were measured and recalled birth weights recorded. Statistical modeling using logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationships. In the final adjusted models, associations remained for low birth weight and proteinuria [odds ratio (OR) 2.36; 95% CI 1.24-4.49], as well as for high birth weight and overweight/obesity (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.00-2.53). These findings emphasize the need to strive for healthy pregnancies, with appropriate weight gains in these and other disadvantaged populations around the world.

Effect of birth weight on adulthood renal function: A bias‐adjusted meta‐analytic approach

“…Among Australians, diabetes itself is responsible for 35% of all newly diagnosed ESRD, whereas hypertension and atherosclerosis account for 15% . It has also been observed that aboriginal LBW newborns in Australia and Canada are at higher risk of CKD in later life, which once again strengthens the evidence for vulnerability to chronic disease in these populations as reported elsewhere …”

“…Newborns with HBW are also at 1.09 times higher risk of CKD at later life, although the association is not statistically significant. We found 10 studies, which ascertained the association between HBW and CKD . Only one study (among Pima Indians with diabetes) showed high odds ratio for CKD, which did not appear representative of the general population .…”

“…A total of 2 269 188 individuals were assessed, including a single study from Norway, which comprised a population of more than two million. A total of three studies were conducted among aboriginal populations: two from Australia and one from Canada . Considering the age of assessment of renal function, 22 studies assessed renal function at less than 30 years .…”

“…However, one study estimated ponderal index (lower 3rd percentile), two studies estimated birth weight percentile and one study considered intrauterine growth retardation . Ten studies reported the association between HBW and CKD …”

“…Of the 36 studies (Tables ) included in meta‐analysis, 21 estimated the effect size in OR, six studies estimated regression coefficients, eight studies measured as mean difference, four studies estimated both OR and mean difference, one study reported both OR and regression coefficient and one measured both mean difference and regression coefficient . Four studies used cross‐sectional samples, and six were case–control study designs, suggesting a possible source of design‐specific bias.…”