Pregnancy Complications Linked to Long-Term Heart Risks for Children

Children born to mothers with pregnancy complications such as diabetes or high blood pressure are more likely to develop signs of heart trouble by the age of 12, including being overweight or diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar. The research highlights the strong link between healthy pregnancies and child health, supporting the "fetal origins of adult disease" hypothesis, and emphasizes the need for preventive care and early intervention during pregnancy and early childhood to break the cycle of increased cardiovascular risk in children born to mothers with pregnancy complications.