Abstract for presentation at Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology Annual Scientific Conference

Cardiovascular risk factors in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children

  • Dr Leigh Haysom, The Children's Hospital, Westmead and The School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia
  • Dr Elisabeth Hodson, Centre for Kidney Research at the Children's Hospital, Westmead, Australia
  • Ms Rita Williams, Centre for Kidney Research at the Children's Hospital, Westmead, Australia
  • Prof L Paul Roy, Centre for Kidney Research at The Children's Hospital, Westmead, Australia
  • Prof David Lyle, University of Sydney, Australia
  • A/Prof Jonathan Craig, Centre for Kidney Research at The Children's Hospital, Westmead and The School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia

    • Introduction: Being socially disadvantaged and/or Aboriginal are known risk factors for chronic vascular disease. Other associations include low birth weight, obesity, hypertension and albuminuria. There are currently no population-based comparative studies in racially and socio-economically diverse children investigating risk factors for chronic vascular disease.
    Method: Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children were enrolled from primary schools in geographically diverse areas of NSW and tested for height, weight, blood pressure and albuminuria (ACR). Birth weight was recorded. Remoteness and socio-economic status (SES) were measured using Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) and Socio-Economic Indexes For Areas (SEIFA).
    Results: 1250 (55%) Aboriginal and 1016 (45%) non-Aboriginal children were enrolled from 37 NSW primary schools. Obesity (BMI >2SD) prevalence was 7.1%, hypertension (systolic / diastolic blood pressure >90th centile) was 3.0% and 1.9% respectively, low birth weight (birth weight <2500g) was 8.2%, and albuminuria (ACR>3.4 mg/mmol) was 7.3%. Aboriginal children were no more likely to have these abnormalities than non-Aboriginals. Significant risk factors for obesity were older age, non-urban location and higher SES (all p<0.03). Significant risk factors for hypertension were female gender, older age, non-urban location, higher SES and increasing height, weight and BMI SD (all p<0.01). Significant risk factors for albuminuria were female gender and older age (both p<0.01). Low birth weight and Aboriginality were not predictors of obese, hypertensive or albuminuric children.
    Conclusion: In these children, current overweight, rather than low birth weight, and environmental health determinants are more important predictors of hypertension and chronic vascular disease risk than being Aboriginal.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd