A recent study showed that women who develop high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy were more likely to give birth to children who may have conditions that could affect their heart health. The study followed 3,300 mother-and-child pairs for over a decade and showed that children of mothers with high blood pressure or gestational diabetes during pregnancy were more likely to be overweight or have conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar at the age of 12. The findings did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship but gave support to the “fetal origins of adult disease” hypothesis.
Dr. Kartik K. Venkatesh, the paper’s first author, emphasized the importance of preventive care and early intervention during pregnancy and early childhood to prevent a cycle of cardiovascular issues. The study’s results may lead to earlier screening for heart disease in children based on the mother’s pregnancy complications. The findings have already led to changes in medical history-taking by some physicians, asking patients about their mother’s pregnancy health history, to identify potential issues early on.
Dr. Rachel M. Bond, a cardiologist and system director of Women’s Heart Health at Dignity Health in Chandler, Ariz., and Dr. Annette Ansong, an associate chief of outpatient cardiology at Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C., said the discovery could change pediatric guidelines and the way patients are screened for cardiovascular issues. Dr. Bond emphasized the importance of patients understanding their family medical history, including their mother’s pregnancy history, to identify potential issues early.
The results of the study underline the importance of prenatal maternal health in determining the child’s future health and suggest the need for proactive measures and early screenings for potential cardiovascular problems. Women who are planning a pregnancy are advised to seek care before conception, particularly if they have pre-existing conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The study has also prompted a conversation about the need for official guidelines for early heart disease screening in children with mothers who had complications during pregnancy.
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