Low vitamin D at birth raises risk of higher blood pressure in kids: Study
Team Udayavani, Jul 2, 2019, 5:40 PM IST
New York: People with vitamin D deficiency from birth to early childhood are at an increased risk of elevated systolic blood pressure during adolescence, a study has found.
Systolic refers to the first or top number in a blood pressure reading. It indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when your heart beats.
High systolic blood pressure readings increase the risk of cardiovascular disease even when diastolic blood pressure, the second number in a blood pressure reading, is controlled.
For the study, published in the journal Hypertension, researchers followed 775 children from birth to age 18.
Low vitamin D levels were defined as less than 11 ng/ml (nanograms per millimetre) in cord blood at birth and less than 25 ng/ml in a child’s blood during early childhood.
“Our findings raise the possibility that screening and treatment of vitamin D deficiency with supplementation during pregnancy and early childhood might be an effective approach to reduce high blood pressure later in life,” said Guoying Wang at Johns Hopkins University in the US.
Vitamin D is needed for the body to absorb calcium for strong bones. It is made by our bodies when we are exposed to sunlight and found in a few foods, such as eggs, salmon and fortified milk products. It is also available as a vitamin supplement.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Anti-obesity class of drugs related with fewer post-surgery complications: Study
1.48 lakh new TB cases identified in first 30 days of 100-day intensified campaign: Nadda
HMPV: Centre asks states to increase surveillance for respiratory diseases
No need for panic, HMPV not as transmissible as Covid: Karnataka govt
HMPV cases: Karnataka Health Minister says no reason to panic
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Don’t like words like legacy and milestone: Hrithik Roshan on 25 years in Bollywood
Twist in naxalite surrender: Naxals to surrender in Bengaluru instead of Chikkamagaluru
Cybersecurity firm Rubrik announces new office in Bengaluru as part of expansion plans in India
ISRO has major missions ahead, says newly appointed chairman
Karkala: Woman duped of Rs 20 lakh by fraudsters posing as CBI officials
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.