Placental programming of blood pressure in Indian children

Abstract

Aim: To determine whether the size and shape of the placental surface predict blood pressure in childhood. Methods: We studied blood pressure in 471 nine-year-old Indian children whose placental length, breadth and weight were measured in a prospective birth cohort study. Results: In the daughters of short mothers ( < 0.05 for all three measurements). Conclusions: The size and shape of the placental surface predict childhood blood pressure. Blood pressure may be programmed by variation in the normal processes of placentation: these include implantation, expansion of the chorionic surface in mid-gestation and compensatory expansion of the chorionic surface in late gestation. © 2011 The Author(s)/Acta Pædiatrica © 2011 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica.