A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Birth weight, adult weight, and cardiovascular biomarkers: Evidence from the Cardiovascular Young Finns Study
Authors: Pehkonen Jaakko, Viinikainen Jutta, Kari Jaana T, Böckerman Petri, Lehtimäki Terho, Viikari Jorma, Raitakari Olli
Publisher: ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Preventive Medicine
Journal name in source: PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
Journal acronym: PREV MED
Article number: 106894
Volume: 154
Number of pages: 6
ISSN: 0091-7435
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106894
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106894
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/174779654
This study quantifies the causal effect of birth weight on cardiovascular biomarkers in adulthood using the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (YFS). We apply a multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) method that provides a novel approach to improve inference in causal analysis based on a mediation framework. The results show that birth weight is linked to triglyceride levels (beta = 0.294; 95% CI [-0.591, 0.003]) but not to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (beta = 0.007; 95% CI [-0.168, 0.183]). The total effect of birth weight on triglyceride levels is partly offset by a mediation pathway linking birth weight to adult BMI (beta = 0.111; 95% CI [-0.013, 0.234]). The negative total effect is consistent with the fetal programming hypothesis. The positive indirect effect via adult BMI highlights the persistence of body weight throughout a person's life and the adverse effects of high BMI on health. The results are consistent with previous findings that both low birth weight and weight gain increase health risks in adulthood.
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