The hypertensive outcomes of children with low birth weight in underdeveloped and developing countries: a systematic literature review

The hypertensive outcomes of children with low birth weight in underdeveloped and developing countries: a systematic literature review Public Deposited

Last Modified

Creator

San Luis, Anthony
- Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Anthropology

Abstract

Adult hypertension and Low birth weight (LBW) continues be an ongoing global concern. However, an increasing number of children in poor, low-income areas in underdeveloped and developing countries are exhibiting conditions characteristic of hypertension. Barker's fetal origins framework hypothesizes that hypertension (and other cardiovascular and metabolic diseases) is a deleterious adaptation by the fetus as a result of restricted intrauterine growth stemming from maternal undernutrition that affect the functionality and structure of key organs responsible for blood pressure regulation while also remaining small resulting in LBW or being born small. This paper will systematically review contemporary literature that discuss hypertension and other associated risk factors as an outcome of LBW among children from underdeveloped and developing countries and will conclude with recommendations that attempt to assist future research efforts.

Date of publication