Babies who grow poorly during the first three months of pregnancy display more heart risk factors later in childhood, a new study indicates.

According to Dutch researchers, their findings support previous studies which suggest that the first trimester of pregnancy is an essential period for heart health later in life.

During the first trimester, the heart and other organs undergo rapid development. The researchers decided to investigate whether poor growth during this time could affect heart health later on.

They looked at over 1,100 school-age children and assessed their crown to rump length measurements during the first trimester. These measurements are often used to estimate foetal age.

Other factors, such as the mother's age, smoking status and blood pressure during pregnancy, were also assessed.

When the children were aged around six, their cardiovascular risk factors were assessed. These included blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), body fat distribution, insulin levels and cholesterol levels.

Based on their measurements during the first trimester, the children were divided into fifths. The study found that those in the lowest fifth, i.e. those with the smallest crown to rump measurements, had much more cardiovascular risk factors at the age of six than those in the highest fifth.

For example, they had more total fat mass and more fat stored around their abdomen. They also had higher blood pressure and a poorer cholesterol profile.

Those who grew poorly in the first trimester were also more likely to have a clustering of these risk factors.

While acknowledging that further studies are needed to identify the underlying causes and long-term consequences of poor growth early in pregnancy, the researchers from Erasmus University Medical Center suggested that future strategies to improve heart health ‘may start from early pregnancy onwards or even before conception'.

Details of these findings are published in the British Medical Journal.

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