BABIES born with a very low weight are more likely to suffer a potentially deadly stroke, a concerning study has suggested.
Swedish researchers found that those born 3.5kg lighter than average had a fifth higher likelihood of the health emergency in early adulthood.
The scientists did not explain why exactly this was the case, but suggested that doctors should consider birth weight when assessing stroke risk.
Previous research has suggested that there may be a link between low birth weight and higher systolic blood pressure – the pressure when the heart is pumping blood through the arteries.
High blood pressure is a known risk factor for strokes.
The scientists, from the University of Gothenburg, said: “We demonstrate that lower birthweight is associated with an increased risk of early adult stroke.
“There is similar increased risk for both men and women and for both the major types of stroke, ischaemic and haemorrhagic.
“The results were independent of gestational age at birth [if a baby is born early], and BMI as young adults.
“These findings suggest that low birth weight may be included in assessments of stroke risk in adults.”
In the study, the scientists tracked 420,173 men and 348,758 women in Sweden, born between 1973 and 1982 – all now aged between 43 and 53 today if still alive.
They then assessed data on early stroke incidents and causes of death in Sweden up until 2022.
They discovered 2,252 strokes in early adulthood had occurred during this time frame.
These included 1,624 ischaemic strokes – where a blockage, like a blood clot, cuts off the blood supply to the brain – and 588 intracerebral haemorrhage strokes, caused by a bleed in or around the brain,
Researchers accounted for factors including gestational age and parents’ country of birth, that could skew the results.
They found that those who had a birth weight of 3.5kg below the average, had a 21 per cent increased risk of a stroke.
By type of stroke, the risk remained at 21 per cent for ischemic strokes but stood at 27 per cent for intracerebral haemorrhage strokes.
Women with a birth weight below average, meanwhile, had an 18 per cent increased overall risk for all strokes.
For men, this stood at a 23 per cent increased risk compared to individuals of average birth weight.
The research will be presented in full at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, Turkey, in May.
Previous studies have also suggested that birth weight could be a major indicator of other future health issues in children.
In one 2022 paper, published in the journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, scientists found that Mental health and behaviour issues during childhood and teenage years were more common among smaller newborns.
Experts from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) said that for each kilogram a baby was below the average birth weight (3.5kg), the more likely they are to have mental health problems.
Another in 2023, part funded by the British Heart Foundation, found that low birth weight was directly associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease.
At the time, Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said information about patients’ birthweight could be a “valuable tool to help doctors build up a better picture of patients’ risk of heart disease and identify those who could benefit from closer monitoring or targeted intervention”.
Don’t delay… if you spot signs of a stroke dial 999 immediately
A STROKE is a medical emergency, that’s why knowing the signs and symptoms is vital.
It happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, killing off cells. The damage caused can affect how the body works, and the effects depend on where in the brain a stroke strikes.
There are three different types of stroke:
- Ischaemic stroke – where a blockage, like a blood clot, cuts off the blood supply to the brain
- Haemorrhagic stroke – caused by a bleed in or around the brain
- Transient ischaemic attack – also known as a ‘mini stroke’, this is a big warning sign of a full-blown stroke. It’s similar to a stroke but symptoms are shorter lived.
Every stroke is different but they can affect a patient’s ability to speak, move, think and feel. They can cause behavioural changes as well as emotional challenges.
They can happen to any of us, regardless of our age. That’s why it’s important to educate yourself on the warning signs.
The faster you get medical help and treatment, the more likely it is that the damage caused can be reversed and stopped in its tracks.
There’s a handy acronym that helps identify the symptoms of a stroke. If you spot these yourself, or in a loved one, do not delay – dial 999 immediately, and tell the call handler you suspect a stroke.
ACT Fast:
- Face weakness – can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
- Arm weakness – can the person raise both arms?
- Speech problems – can the person speak clearly and understand what you’re saying?
- Time to call 999 – if you see any of these signs, get help.
This test helps spot three key signs, but there are other symptoms to be aware of too.
They include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, sudden blurred vision or loss of sight, sudden confusion or memory loss, dizziness or a sudden fall and a sudden, severe headache.
When it comes to a stroke, the bottom line is take these symptoms seriously. It may well be something more minor, but it pays to be alert and act fast. Not only could it save your life, but it could save you, or a loved one, from long-term, devastating side effects.
For more information about stroke, visit the Stroke Association or the NHS website
