Khaberni - A disturbing Swedish study revealed that children born with very low weights are more prone to potentially fatal strokes in early adolescence.
Researchers found that those born weighing 3.5 kilograms less than the normal range were approximately 20% more likely to experience this emergency condition.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, followed more than 768,000 people born between 1973 and 1982, who currently are between the ages of 43 and 53. They analyzed the health data of these individuals until 2022, discovering 2252 cases of stroke that occurred in early adulthood during this period.
Among these cases, there were 1624 ischemic strokes (caused by a blood clot that prevents blood from reaching the brain), and 588 hemorrhagic strokes (resulting from bleeding inside or around the brain).
Researchers took into account multiple factors that could have influenced the outcomes, such as gestational age (whether the child was born prematurely or not) and the parents' birth country, to ensure accuracy of the results.
The study showed that people whose birth weight was 3.5 kilograms less than average had an increase in the risk of stroke by 21%. When detailing the results according to the type of stroke, the risk remains at 21% for ischemic strokes, but rises to 27% for the more dangerous hemorrhagic strokes.
The results also revealed gender differences, with low birth weight women being 18% more likely to suffer a stroke compared to those with normal weight, while the percentage for men was 23%.
Scientists have not provided a final explanation for this relationship, but previous research indicated that low birth weight may be associated with higher systolic blood pressure later on, which is a known risk factor for stroke.
Researchers emphasize that these findings were independent of other factors such as gestational age at birth and body mass index in early adolescence, reinforcing the strength of the relationship between low birth weight and stroke risk.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg state that these findings highlight the importance of including birth weight among the factors assessed when estimating an adult's risk of stroke. They advise doctors to consider this vital indicator during routine examinations.
This is not the first time that low birth weight has been linked to future health issues. In a 2022 study, researchers found that smaller-sized children at birth were more prone to mental health and behavioral problems during childhood and adolescence, with experts from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland stating that every kilogram less in birth weight than the normal (3.5 kg) increases the likelihood of psychological problems.
Furthermore, a 2023 study found that low birth weight is directly linked to an increased risk of coronary artery disease.
It is noteworthy that the comprehensive results of the new study are scheduled to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity, which will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, in May next year.
