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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Sheila MacPhail
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OBJECTIVES: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in later life. Daughters of PE mothers have an increased risk of developing the disease; recent epidemiological data suggest a (grand)paternal contribution. We have directly studied the parents of 673 women with stringently defined PE in relation to their daughters' disease. METHODS: (Grand)parental medical history, current medication and blood pressure (using an Omron 705 automated monitor) were recorded, with obstetric history for the grandmother, including directly verified pregnancy hypertension. RESULTS: The age of the 649 participating grandmothers was 55.5 ± 7.5 years (mean ± SD) and that of the 542 participating grandfathers was 58.0 ± 7.3 years. Essential hypertension (EHT) requiring therapy was present in 23.4% of the grandmothers and 22.8% of the grandfathers. Patients had moderate to severe PE; a quarter were delivered before 34 weeks' gestation. A third of the babies had birthweights below the third centile; the perinatal mortality rate was 2.1%. Grandpaternal absolute systolic pressures and EHT status were highly significant determinants of maternal systolic pressure during gestation (F = 11.8, P < 0.001; F = 8.91, P = 0.003, respectively); maternal body mass index (BMI) had less effect. A similar, less marked, pattern was seen for diastolic pressure (F = 6.01, P = 0.014; F = 11.50, P < 0.0001). Grandmaternal EHT did not influence her daughter's systolic or diastolic pressure (P > 0.2 for both). CONCLUSIONS: A paternal, but not maternal, history of EHT is associated with increased risks of non-pregnant hypertension in the children, the risk being greater in daughters than sons. Pregnancy may unveil or exacerbate this effect, possibly reflecting underlying endothelial vulnerability. © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
Author(s): Genetics of Pre-eclampsia (GOPEC) consortium, Broughton Pipkin F, Kalsheker N, Morgan L, O'Malley S, Henfrey M, Arulkumaran S, Symonds I, Cameron A, Dominiczak A, McDade M, Kwong Lee W, McCulloch J, Caulfield M, Farrall M, Kilby M, Davies L, O'Brien PMS, Habiba M, Dodd C, Baker PN, Macphail S, O'Shaughnessy K, Newcombe B, De La Salle P, Redman C, Jarrett P, De Swiet M, Williamson C, Byford E, Cheng F, Walker JJ, Samwiil L, Chapman G, Dennehy E, Keys R, Bjornsson S, Mercer C, Mohajer M, Thompson G, Fitzgibbon MN, Hackett G, Hinshaw K, Lim B, Liu DTY, Mackenzie W, Selinger M, Scudamore I, Sparey C, Tuffnell D, Ward S, Waugh J, Williams D
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Hypertension
Year: 2007
Volume: 25
Issue: 4
Pages: 849-854
ISSN (print): 0263-6352
ISSN (electronic): 1473-5598
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0b013e32803fb634
DOI: 10.1097/HJH.0b013e32803fb634
PubMed id: 17351378
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