Abstract
This study quantifies the causal effect of birth weight on cardiovascular biomarkers in adulthood using the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (YFS). We apply a multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) method that provides a novel approach to improve inference in causal analysis based on a mediation framework. The results show that birth weight is linked to triglyceride levels (β = −0.294; 95% CI [−0.591, 0.003]) but not to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (β = 0.007; 95% CI [−0.168, 0.183]). The total effect of birth weight on triglyceride levels is partly offset by a mediation pathway linking birth weight to adult BMI (β = 0.111; 95% CI [−0.013, 0.234]). The negative total effect is consistent with the fetal programming hypothesis. The positive indirect effect via adult BMI highlights the persistence of body weight throughout a person's life and the adverse effects of high BMI on health. The results are consistent with previous findings that both low birth weight and weight gain increase health risks in adulthood.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 106894 |
Journal | PREVENTIVE MEDICINE |
Volume | 154 |
Early online date | 19 Nov 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2022 |
Publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- Adult BMI
- Birth weight
- Causal mediation
- LDL cholesterol
- Multivariable Mendelian randomization
- Triglycerides
Publication forum classification
- Publication forum level 2
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Epidemiology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health