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Cardiovascular diseases in grandparents and the risk of congenital heart diseases in grandchildren

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2014

K. P. J. Wijnands ,
S. A. Obermann-Borst ,
E. J. G. Sijbrands ,
M. F. Wildhagen ,
W. A. Helbing  and
R. P. M. Steegers-Theunissen
K. P. J. Wijnands
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
S. A. Obermann-Borst
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
E. J. G. Sijbrands
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
M. F. Wildhagen
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Department of Urology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
W. A. Helbing
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
R. P. M. Steegers-Theunissen*
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr Régine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen, Professor in Periconception Epidemiology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (Email r.steegers@erasmusmc.nl)
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Abstract

Hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and hyperhomocysteinemia are associated with both adult cardiovascular disease (CVD) and having a child with a congenital heart disease (CHD). We investigated associations between CVD in grandparents and the risk of CHD in grandchildren. In a case–control family study, we obtained detailed questionnaire information on CVD and CHD in 247 families with a CHD child and 203 families without a CHD child. Grandparents with CVD or intermittent claudication (IC) were significantly associated with an increased risk for CHD in grandchildren [OR 1.39 (95% CI 1.03–1.89) and OR 2.77 (95% CI 1.02–7.56), respectively]. The risk of CHD grandchildren was particularly increased in paternal grandfathers with CVD [OR 1.85 (95% CI 1.01–3.37)]. Overall, having a grandparent with CVD increased the risk for CHD in the grandchild by 1.65 (95% CI 1.12–2.41). After adjustment for potential maternal confounders, this risk was 1.44 (95% CI 0.94–2.21). Having two or more grandparents with CVD was associated with an approximately threefold risk for CHD grandchildren [OR adjusted 2.72 (95% CI 1.08–6.89)]. Our data suggest that CVD and IC in grandparents are associated with an increased risk of having a CHD grandchild. These first findings may be explained by shared causality of derangements in metabolic pathways and are in line with the fetal origins of health and disease.

Keywords

cardiovascular diseasecongenital heart diseasemetabolic pathwaystransgenerational
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , April 2014 , pp. 152 - 158
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2014 

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