Maternal Pre-Pregnancy Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Offspring and Grandoffspring Health: Bogalusa Daughters

Abstract

Both maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain have been associated with cardiovascular health in the offspring beyond two generations. A total of 274 daughters (aged 12–54) of 208 mothers who participated in the Bogalusa Heart Study were interviewed about their reproductive history. Mothers’ data was taken from the original study, and cardiovascular measures at the visit prior to pregnancy were correlated with daughter’s measures. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, skinfold, and waist circumference were examined as a predictor of daughters’ blood pressure, lipids, and glucose, as well as a predictor of birthweight and gestational age of grandchildren. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with higher blood pressure and lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and cholesterol in the daughters. Most maternal cardiometabolic risk factors were not associated with grandchildren’s birth outcomes, even though higher cholesterol and LDL was associated with lower gestational age, and higher BMI and skinfold thickness with an increased risk of preterm birth. In this pilot study, some associations were found between maternal adiposity and cardiovascular risk, daughters’ cardiovascular risk, and grandchild birth outcomes. Lack of conclusive associations could be due to a true lack of effect, effects being primarily mediated through daughter’s BMI, or the low power of the study.