Prenatal lead exposure may increase risk of high BP during toddler years

Children whose mothers had high levels of lead in their blood during pregnancy had an elevated risk of high BP at age 4 years, according to recently presented data.

Alison P. Sanders, PhD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, and colleagues analyzed blood samples of 397 children and mothers to assess the association between prenatal or infancy lead exposure and high BP at age 4 years.

Significant variations were seen in maternal blood lead levels during the second trimester, ranging from 0.7 mg/dL to 18.8 mg/dL, according to the researchers. Twenty-two percent of prenatal blood levels exceeded the CDC’s guideline level of 5 mg/dL.

Results demonstrated that at age 4 years, children who had been exposed to lead in utero were more likely to have higher BP, compared with those who had not been exposed.

No similar association was observed in children exposed to lead during infancy.

Higher levels of lead during the second and third trimester were linked to decreased pulse pressure (P < .05) and increased diastolic BP (P = .1) in children at age 4 years, according to the researchers.

“There is growing awareness that adult hypertension has origins in childhood. These findings support the role of lead exposure in the developmental origins of disease, possibly even adult hypertension. If so, the prenatal exposure period may be susceptible window for the development of mechanisms that regulate BP and may be an appropriate time frame during which interventions to prevent hypertension should occur,” Sanders said in a press release. – by Casey Hower

Reference:

Sanders AP, et al. Effect of Prenatal and Childhood Lead Exposure on Blood Pressure at 4 Years of Age. Abstract SA-PO644. Presented at: ASN Kidney Week 2015; Nov. 3-8; San Diego.

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.