Early life diarrhoea and later blood pressure in a developing country: the 1982 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study
2009

Early Life Diarrhoea and Later Blood Pressure

Sample size: 3944 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): G D Batty, B L Horta, G Davey Smith, F C Barros, C Victora

Primary Institution: MRC Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow

Hypothesis

Does acute dehydration in early childhood lead to increased blood pressure later in life?

Conclusion

There is no association between early life diarrhoea and later blood pressure in this study.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study found no evidence linking early life diarrhoea to later blood pressure.
  • Previous studies had inconclusive results regarding dehydration and blood pressure.
  • The Pelotas cohort had a higher prevalence of diarrhoea compared to other studies.

Takeaway

The study looked at whether getting diarrhoea as a baby makes you have high blood pressure when you grow up, and it found that it doesn't.

Methodology

Parents reported diarrhoea hospital admissions in the first 12 and 20 months, and blood pressure was measured in adolescence and early adulthood.

Limitations

The study may not account for all factors influencing blood pressure, and the association was based on hospital admissions which may include other conditions.

Participant Demographics

Participants were from the 1982 Pelotas birth cohort in Brazil, with follow-ups at various ages.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1136/jech.2008.077818

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication