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Cited by 576Birth, Development, and HealthCancer Risks and FactorsMaternal and Neonatal Healthcare

Birthweight and mortality in adulthood: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Risnes, Kari R, Vatten, Lars J, Baker, Jennifer L, Jameson, Karen, Sovio, Ulla, Kajantie, Eero, Osler, Merete, Morley, Ruth +7 more·2011·International Journal of Epidemiology
DOI 10.1093/ije/dyq267
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Small birth size may be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), whereas large birth size may predict increased risk of obesity and some cancers. The net effect of birth size on long-term mortality has only been assessed in individual studies, with conflicting results. METHODS: The Meta-analyses of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines for conducting and reporting meta-analysis of observational studies were followed. We retrieved 22 studies that assessed the association between birthweight and adult mortality from all causes, CVD or cancer. The studies were systematically reviewed and those reporting hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) per kilogram (kg) increase in birthweight were included in generic inverse variance meta-analyses. RESULTS: For all-cause mortality, 36,834 deaths were included and the results showed a 6% lower risk (adjusted HR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.92-0.97) per kg higher birthweight for men and women combined. For cardiovascular mortality, the corresponding inverse association was stronger (HR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.85-0.91). For cancer mortality, HR per kg higher birthweight was 1.13 (95% CI: 1.07-1.19) for men and 1.04 (95% CI: 0.98-1.10) for women (P(interaction) = 0.03). Residual confounding could not be eliminated, but is unlikely to account for the main findings. CONCLUSION: These results show an inverse but moderate association of birthweight with adult mortality from all-causes and a stronger inverse association with cardiovascular mortality. For men, higher birthweight was strongly associated with increased risk of cancer deaths. The findings suggest that birthweight can be a useful indicator of processes that influence long-term health.

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Crossref · 10.1093/ije/dyq267

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  • Fetal growth restriction has been associated with both schizophrenia and multiple somatic health outcomes.

    “Shared environmental risk factors affecting fetal development may also contribute to the excess mortality, as fetal growth restriction has been associated with both schizophrenia (Nielsen et al. 2013a) and multiple somatic health outcomes (Risnes et al. 2011).”

    From Excess early mortality in schizophrenia. (2014) · cites this paper as Risnes et al. 2011

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Authors
Risnes, K. R., Vatten, L. J., Baker, J. L., Jameson, K., Sovio, U., Kajantie, E., Osler, M., Morley, R., Jokela, M., Painter, R. C., Sundh, V., Jacobsen, G. W., Eriksson, J. G., Sørensen, T. I. A., & Bracken, M. B.
Affiliations
The University of Melbourne (AU)
Corresponding author
Risnes, Kari R
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Epidemiology
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2011-02-10
Volume
40
Issue
3
Pages
647-661
ISSN
  • 0300-5771 (ISSN-L)
  • 1464-3685
DOI
10.1093/ije/dyq267
OpenAlex
W1183087384
Cited by
576
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 42 · 2023: 49 · 2022: 48 · 2021: 79 · 2020: 43 · 2019: 39 · 2018: 49 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 34 · 2012: 18
FWCI
4.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • International Journal of Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
  • LSHTM Research Online (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) (submittedVersion)
  • STM:n Hallinnonalan avoin julkaisuarkisto (Julkari) (submittedVersion)
  • WOS
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Birth, Development, and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Risks and Factors
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
Keywords
birth weight, adult mortality, cardiovascular mortality, cancer mortality, all-cause mortality, birth size, long-term health effects, sex differences
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Factors, Birth Weight, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cause of Death, Female, Gestational Age, Humans, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Infant, Newborn, Male, Mortality, Neoplasms, Norway, Sex Factors, Risk Assessment

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