High Blood Pressure in Children Tied to Mother's Pregnancy Health: NIH Study Finds - Video

A new study reveals that children born to mothers with cardio metabolic health issues before or during pregnancy face a greater risk of developing elevated blood pressure during childhood and adolescence. The findings suggest that maternal conditions like pre-pregnancy obesity, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure during pregnancy may have long-term effects on a child's cardiovascular health. The findings are published in the JAMA network open.

The study analyzed data from 12,480 mother-child pairs enrolled in the ECHO Program, examining how maternal cardiometabolic risk factors were associated with children’s blood pressure between the ages of 2 and 18. Researchers found that 44% of mothers had at least one cardiometabolic issue during pregnancy. Notably, children whose mothers had more than one condition—such as a combination of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure—had significantly higher average blood pressure levels than those whose mothers had only one or no such condition.

Even after accounting for variables such as age, sex, and height, the study found that these children continued to exhibit elevated blood pressure levels. The long-term impact was evident through a higher rate of increase in blood pressure over time. This trend was especially pronounced in diastolic blood pressure among girls and systolic blood pressure among non-Hispanic Black children whose mothers experienced gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.

“With declines in cardiometabolic health, it’s important to focus on prevention starting as early as possible,” said ECHO researcher Zhongzheng Niu, PhD, of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. “Our study suggests that helping people improve their health before and during pregnancy could benefit both mothers and future generations."

The researchers emphasize the need for further investigation into how combinations of maternal health issues and broader social or structural influences contribute to cardiovascular risks in offspring. These findings underscore the importance of improving maternal health as a preventive measure for future generations' heart health.

Reference: Niu Z, Ako AA, Geiger SD, et al. Maternal Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Pregnancy and Offspring Blood Pressure at Age 2 to 18 Years. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(5):e259205. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.9205