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Abstract: TH-PO590

Low Birth Weight and Hypertension Severity in Youth Referred for Hypertension Disorders: A SUPERHERO Interim Analysis

Session Information

Category: Hypertension and CVD

  • 1501 Hypertension and CVD: Epidemiology‚ Risk Factors‚ and Prevention

Authors

  • Carrasquillo, Rachel Anne, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
  • Giammattei, Victoria, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
  • Lucas, Caroline, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
  • Sethna, Christine B., Cohen Children's Medical Center, Queens, New York, United States
  • Vincent, Carol, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
  • Viviano, Irina, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
  • Weaver, Donald J., Levine Children's Hospital, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
  • South, Andrew M., Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Background

Pediatric hypertension (HTN) has short and long-term adverse health effects. While children with low birth weight (LBW, <2500 g) have an increased risk of HTN, it is unknown whether LBW is associated with more severe HTN once diagnosed. Our objective is to evaluate if youth referred for HTN disorders who had LBW are more likely to have worse blood pressure (BP).

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of preliminary baseline data from The Study of the Epidemiology of Pediatric Hypertension (SUPERHERO) Registry, an ongoing multicenter retrospective cohort using bioinformatics to obtain electronic health record data from youth referred to subspecialty clinics for HTN disorders. Inclusion criteria were <19 years of age, initial visit 1/01/2016 to 12/31/2021 (index date), and ICD-10 diagnostic codes for HTN disorders. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy, kidney failure on dialysis, or kidney transplantation by ICD-10 codes. BP severity was based on the average of all BP measurements obtained on the index date. We classified BP based on age, sex, and height per pediatric guidelines. We further defined high BP as elevated BP or any stage of HTN. LBW of any severity was based on ICD-10 diagnostic codes at the index date. We estimated β, RR, and OR with 95% CL using unadjusted generalized linear models.

Results

Of the 3295 participants, 29% identified as Black/African American, 17% Hispanic, 37% were female, and the median age was 14.2 years (IQR 10.5, 16.4); 52% had obesity. Only 1% (n=18) had an ICD-10 code for LBW, and 60% of the cohort had stage 1 or stage 2 HTN. LBW ICD-10 codes were associated with an 18% higher risk of high BP (RR 1.18, 95% CL 1.04 to 1.33) and 46% higher risk of HTN (RR 1.46, 95% CL 1.21 to 1.77).

Conclusion

Youth referred for HTN disorders who had ICD-10 codes for LBW had higher risk of more severe BP classification compared to those without these codes. It is likely that LBW status is not being heavily documented, hence it is unlikely that there is only 1% prevalence. Our findings could aid health care providers in HTN clinics to be more alert of a possible risk factor that needs to be taken into consideration. Ongoing analyses in this population include obtaining actual birth weight and investigating the association with target organ damage.

Funding

  • NIDDK Support