European Congress on Obesity
ECO 2026: Lower infant birthweight tied to higher early adult stroke risk
Clinical takeaway: Findings are observational and not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal, but lower infant birthweight may signal increased stroke risk later in life.
Early-life factors may shape stroke risk decades later, even after accounting for adult weight and birth timing, according to findings to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity.
Data for 800,000 individuals aged 43 to 53 years born in Sweden was reviewed, accounting for the entire population born between 1973 and 1982 with available data on birth weight, gestational age, and BMI in young adulthood.
Birthweight below the median (3.5 kg) was associated with a 21% higher risk of stroke overall and a 27% higher risk of intracerebral hemorrhage compared with higher birthweight. Stroke occurred at a mean age of 36 years, with 2,252 total events. The results were independent of gestational age and BMI in young adulthood. Gestational age itself wasn't linked to stroke risk.
“These findings suggest that low birth weight may be included in assessments of stroke risk in adults,” said study author Dr. Lina Lilja of University of Gothenburg.
Source: Lilja L, et al. European Congress on Obesity (ECO) 2026 (poster abstract). Birthweight and young adult BMI and the risk of early-life stroke