Inverse Association Between Birth Weight and C-Reactive Protein Concentrations in the MIDSPAN Family Study

Abstract

Objective— Inflammation markers and low birth weight each predict elevated risk of cardiovascular events and type 2 diabetes. However, potential associations between the low-grade inflammatory response as represented by C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and low birth weight have been sparsely examined. Methods and results— In the MIDSPAN Family Study, 1663 individuals had birth weight data and CRP concentrations measured as adults (age 30 to 59). The relationship between these parameters was examined after adjusting for factors known to influence CRP concentrations inclusive of age, body mass index, smoking, socio-economic deprivation, and hormone use in women. After adjusting for potential confounders, there was a negative association between birth weight and CRP, whereby a 1-kg increase in birth weight is associated with a 10.7% decrease in CRP (95% CI: 3.0% to 17.8% decrease). There was no strong evidence that the effects differed in men and women ( P =0.32). Conclusion— Low birth weight contributes to elevated CRP concentration in adult life. Future studies are required to determine to what extent this association reflects catch-up centile crossing, in utero programming, or genetic factors.