Overview

• The study analyzed data from 12,480 mother-child pairs collected between 1994 and 2023 through the NIH-led ECHO Program.
• Children of mothers with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure percentiles, with faster annual increases from ages 2 to 18.
• The effects were dose-dependent, with children of mothers having multiple risk factors—such as obesity and hypertensive disorders—showing the greatest blood pressure elevations.
• Female and Black children experienced more pronounced increases in blood pressure linked to maternal health risks, raising concerns about health disparities.
• Findings suggest early interventions during pregnancy and routine blood pressure screenings for at-risk children could mitigate long-term cardiovascular risks.