Age at first birth and risk of later-life cardiovascular disease: a systematic review of the literature, its limitation, and recommendations for future research

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Nicole T. A. Rosendaal¹  Catherine M. Pirkle¹ 

[1] Office of Public Health Studies, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Biomed D104T, 96822-2319, Honolulu, HI, USA;

关键词: Maternal age;    Pregnancy in adolescence;    Cardiovascular disease;    Coronary heart disease;    Stroke;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-017-4519-x

 received in 2016-11-13, accepted in 2017-06-20,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the principal contributor to the burden of disease and mortality worldwide. Previous studies observed associations between early age at first birth (AFB) and all-cause mortality. AFB may be associated with CVD both through physiological and sociobiological pathways. In this paper, we review the literature on AFB and CVD events and mortality. Additionally, we provide an overview of limitations of the current research and recommendations for future research.MethodsPubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for observational studies published between 1980-June 2016, investigating associations between AFB and CVD events and mortality. Data were extracted using a pre-defined list.ResultsA total of 20 publications, reporting on 33 associations, were included in the review. Ten studies observed a positive association between early AFB and CVD while two studies observed a positive association between later AFB and CVD. Substantial methodological limitations were observed related to: operationalization of exposure categories, choice of reference category, sample size, follow-up time and possibly over adjustment.ConclusionsEarly AFB is possibly related to CVD. More work, in particular from large cohort studies starting before reproductive age is reached, is needed to better investigate this relationship, and to ascertain causal pathways that may explain observed associations.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017