Born small? You may be more sensitive to salt

A study published in the journal Hypertension found that children born with a low birth weight are more likely to develop high blood pressure when they eat more salt, and have smaller kidneys than children of normal birth weight. This may explain the higher rates of high blood pressure and heart and kidney disease in people born small.

In the study, children aged 7 to 15 who had a low birth weight were more sensitive to salt: their blood pressure rose more with extra salt than in children of the same age born at a normal weight. They also had smaller kidneys, which may explain their salt sensitivity.

So these children should avoid too much salt throughout life, and processed and canned foods are especially harmful for them. A low birth weight may be due to pre-eclampsia in the mother, and these women are also at risk of heart and blood vessel disease, so pregnant women should get advice on a healthy diet for themselves and their baby.

So ask your mother about your birth weight, to avoid the risk if needed.