Do gastrointestinal tract infections in infancy increase blood pressure in childhood?

Background: It has been hypothesized that dehydration in infancy could permanently increase sodium retention, raising blood pressure in later life. We investigated whether gastrointestinal tract infection in infancy, a clinically relevant exposure often accompanied by dehydration, is associated with raised blood pressure in childhood. Methods: We analysed data from a cohort study nested within a cluster-randomized trial of breastfeeding promotion in the Republic of Belarus.

17,046 healthy breastfed infants were enrolled from 31 maternity hospitals. 13,889 (81.5%) children were followed-up at 6.5 years. Exposure measures were: any gastrointestinal infection in infancy (to 1 year); hospitalizations for gastrointestinal infection in infancy and in childhood (1-6.5 years).

The outcomes were systolic and diastolic blood pressure at age 6.5 years. Results: The prevalence of any gastrointestinal infection in infancy, and of hospitalization for gastrointestinal infection in infancy or ... more.

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