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Tiny Birth Weight Linked to Early Stroke Risk
6 Apr
Summary
- Low birth weight is associated with increased risk of early adult stroke.
- The Swedish study tracked nearly 800,000 individuals born between 1973-1982.
- A birth weight below the median 7.7 pounds showed a 21% higher odds of stroke.
New research indicates that having a lower birth weight could be associated with an elevated risk of experiencing a stroke during early adulthood. The study, conducted in Sweden, analyzed the birth weights and subsequent stroke incidence of approximately 800,000 individuals born between 1973 and 1982. Researchers found that individuals with a birth weight below the median of 7.7 pounds had a 21% higher likelihood of suffering a stroke at a relatively young age, with the average age of stroke occurrence being 36. The increased risk was noted for both ischemic strokes, caused by vessel blockages, and hemorrhagic strokes, resulting from brain bleeds. The findings, which are preliminary and set to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, Turkey, suggest that doctors might consider birth weight as a factor when evaluating stroke risk in young adults. The association appeared consistent across genders and for both major types of stroke.
