Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Low birth weight and end-stage renal disease: demographic analysis by region in Japan

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Clinical and Experimental Nephrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

We have previously shown regional differences in the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) within Japan, which is ethnically homogenous, suggesting that non-genetic factors may contribute to the differences. We examined regional distribution in the incidence of low birth weight (LBW), a surrogate for low nephron number, in our search for an explanation.

Methods

Each year, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan and the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy report the number of LBW babies and patients initiating maintenance dialysis in each prefecture of Japan, respectively. In this study, we calculated the annual incidences of LBW and ESRD in 11 regions of Japan over a 24-year period from 1984 to 2007.

Results

There were distinct regional differences in the annual incidences of both LBW and ESRD (p < 0.0001). These regional distributions persisted despite consistent increases (p < 0.0001) in incidences of both LBW and ESRD during the study period. Compared with the reference group consisting of 3 regions with the lowest LBW incidence, the odds ratios for ESRD (95% confidence interval) of the 5 regions with intermediate LBW incidence and the 3 regions with the highest LBW incidence are 1.09 (1.05–1.14) and 1.29 (1.22–1.35), respectively. The annual incidence of LBW was positively correlated with annual incidence of ESRD in their regional distribution across 11 regions (r = 0.66, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

The present study, relating regional distribution between LBW and ESRD dynamics in a nationwide population of Japan, revealed that the marked regional differences in the incidence of ESRD within Japan could be explained by a similar regional distribution in the incidence of LBW.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Usami T, Koyama K, Takeuchi O, Morozumi K, Kimura G. Regional variations in the incidence of end-stage renal failure in Japan. JAMA. 2000;284:2622–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Usami T, Nakao N, Fukuda M, Takeuchi O, Kamiya Y, Yoshida A, et al. Maps of end-stage renal disease and amounts of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors prescribed in Japan. Kidney Int. 2003;64:1445–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Kato N, Usami T, Fukuda M, Motokawa M, Kamiya Y, Yoshida A, et al. Different regional dynamics of end-stage renal disease in Japan by different causes. Nephrology (Carlton). 2005;10:400–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Motokawa M, Fukuda M, Muramatsu W, Sengo K, Kato N, Usami T, et al. Regional differences in end-stage renal disease and amount of protein intake in Japan. J Ren Nutr. 2007;17:118–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Tomonari T, Fukuda M, Miura T, Mizuno M, Wakamatsu TY, Ichikawa T, et al. Is salt intake an independent risk factor of stroke mortality? Demographic analysis by regions in Japan. J Am Soc Hypertens. 2011 (volume 5, pages 456−462).

  6. Brenner BM, Chertow GM. Congenital oligonephropathy and the etiology of adult hypertension and progressive renal injury. Am J Kidney Dis. 1994;23:171–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Lopes AA, Port FK. The low birth weight hypothesis as a plausible explanation for the black/white differences in hypertension, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, and end-stage renal disease. Am J Kidney Dis. 1995;25:350–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Zandi-Nejad K, Luyckx VA, Brenner BM. Adult hypertension and kidney disease: the role of fetal programming. Hypertension. 2006;47:502–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Hoy WE, Hughson MD, Bertram JF, Douglas-Denton R, Amann K. Nephron number, hypertension, renal disease, and renal failure. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2005;16:2557–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Vikse BE, Irgens LM, Leivestad T, Hallan S, Iversen BM. Low birth weight increases risk for end-stage renal disease. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2008;19:151–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Luyckx VA, Brenner BM. The clinical importance of nephron mass. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2010;21:898–910.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Lackland DT, Bendall HE, Osmond C, Egan BM, Barker DJ. Low birth weights contribute to high rates of early-onset chronic renal failure in the Southeastern United States. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:1472–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. White SL, Perkovic V, Cass A, Poulter NR, Spector T, Haysom L, et al. Is low birth weight an antecedent of CKD in later life? A systematic review of observational studies. Am J Kidney Dis. 2009;54:248–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Hodgin JB, Rasoulpour M, Markowitz GS, D’Agati VD. Very low birth weight is a risk factor for secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009;4:71–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Fan ZJ, Lackland DT, Lipsitz SR, Nicholas JS. The association of low birth weight and chronic renal failure among Medicaid young adults with diabetes and/or hypertension. Public Health Rep. 2006;121:239–44.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Hoy WE, Kincaid-Smith P, Hughson MD, Fogo AB, Sinniah R, Dowling J, et al. CKD in Aboriginal Australians. Am J Kidney Dis. 2010;56:983–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Hoy WE, Hughson MD, Zimanyi M, Samuel T, Douglas-Denton R, Holden L, et al. Distribution of volumes of individual glomeruli in kidneys at autopsy: association with age, nephron number, birth weight and body mass index. Clin Nephrol. 2010;74(Suppl 1):S105–12.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Zanardo V, Fanelli T, Weiner G, Fanos V, Zaninotto M, Visentin S, et al. Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with persistent aortic wall thickening and glomerular proteinuria during infancy. Kidney Int. 2011;80:119–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare. Vital Statistics of National Population Dynamics Survey. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare 2007; http://www.mhlw.go.

  20. Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy. An overview of regular dialysis treatment in Japan (as of Dec. 31, 2007). Tokyo: Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Usami T, Nakao N, Fukuda M, Yoshida A, Kimura G. Renoprotective action of statin estimated from mapping renal failure in Japan. Kidney Int. 2003;64:1445–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Furumatsu Y, Nagasawa Y, Hamano T, Iwatani H, Iio K, Shoji T, et al. Integrated therapies including erythropoietin decrease the incidence of dialysis: lessons from mapping the incidence of end-stage renal disease in Japan. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2007;23:984–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Statistical Survey Department, Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. http://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/2.htm (accessed March 30, 2010).

  24. Japanese Society of Nephrology. Annual report on the number of Board Certified Nephrologist of the Japanese Society of Nephrology. http://www.jsn.or.jp/general/list/. (accessed March 30, 2010).

  25. Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. Income of a resident by prefecture. http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/jp/sna/kenmin/h19/main.html (accessed March 30, 2010).

  26. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. New Graduates Advancing to Higher-level Schools by Course, 1.4 Lower secondary School. http://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/toukei/chousa01/kihon/1267995.htm (accessed March 30, 2010).

  27. Hoy WE, Hughson MD, Singh GR, Douglas-Denton R, Bertram JF. Reduced nephron number and glomerulomegaly in Australian aborigines: a group at high risk for renal disease and hypertension. Kidney Int. 2006;70:104–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Bergvall N, Iliadou A, Tuvemo T, Cnattingius S. Birth characteristics and risk of high systolic blood pressure in early adulthood: socioeconomic factors and familial effects. Epidemiology. 2005;16:635–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Shankaran S, Das A, Bauer CR, Bada H, Lester B, Wright L, et al. Fetal origin of childhood disease: intrauterine growth restriction in term infants and risk for hypertension at 6 years of age. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160:977–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Lurbe E, Garcia-Vicent C, Torro I, Fayos JL, Aguilar F, de Llano JM, et al. First-year blood pressure increase steepest in low birth weight newborns. J Hypertens. 2007;25:81–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Nelson RG, Morgenstern H, Bennett PH. Birth weight and renal disease in Pima Indians with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Am J Epidemiol. 1998;148:650–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Mañalich R, Reyes L, Herrera M, Melendi C, Fundora I. Relationship between weight at birth and the number and size of renal glomeruli in humans: a histomorphometric study. Kidney Int. 2000;58:770–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Hughson M, Farris AB 3rd, Douglas-Denton R, Hoy WE, Bertram JF. Glomerular number and size in autopsy kidneys: the relationship to birth weight. Kidney Int. 2003;63:2113–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Hughson MD, Douglas-Denton R, Bertram JF, Hoy WE. Hypertension, glomerular number, and birth weight in African Americans and white subjects in the southeastern United States. Kidney Int. 2006;69:671–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Brenner BM, Garcia DL, Anderson S. Glomeruli and blood pressure. Less of one, more the other ? Am J Hypertens. 1988;1:335–47.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Brenner BM, Meyer TW, Hostetter TH. Dietary protein intake and the progressive nature of kidney disease: the role of hemodynamically mediated glomerular injury in the pathogenesis of progressive glomerular sclerosis in aging, renal ablation, and intrinsic renal disease. N Engl J Med. 1982;307:652–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Keller G, Zimmer G, Mall G, Ritz E, Amann K. Nephron number in patients with primary hypertension. N Engl J Med. 2003;348:101–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Hoy WE, Rees M, Kile E, Mathews JD, Wang Z. A new dimension to the Barker hypothesis: low birth weight and susceptibility to renal disease. Kidney Int. 1999;56:1072–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Keijzer-Veen MG, Schrevel M, Finken MJ, Dekker FW, Nauta J, Hille ET, Dutch POPS-19 Collaborative Study Group, et al. Microalbuminuria and lower glomerular filtration rate at young adult age in subjects born very premature and after intrauterine growth retardation. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2005;16:2762–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Thompson LA, Goodman DC, Chang CH, Stukel TA. Regional variation in rates of low birth weight. Pediatrics. 2005;116:1114–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Ananth CV, Wen SW. Trends in fetal growth among singleton gestations in the United States and Canada, 1985 through 1998. Semin Perinatol. 2002;26:260–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Takimoto H, Yokoyama T, Yoshiike N, Fukuoka H. Increase in low-birth-weight infants in Japan and associated risk factors, 1980–2000. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2005;31:314–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy for giving us the opportunity to use data about the incidence of ESRD presented here. This study is supported by Research Grants for Cardiovascular Diseases (C-2001-5) from the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan, as well as Grants from Nagoya City University, Salt Science Research Foundation (No. 04C1), Metabolic Disorders Treatment Research Foundation, Aichi Kidney Foundation and Japan Cardiovascular Research Foundation, and Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B#19390232 and C#17590836) from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan through Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science. These funding sources had no role in the design, conduct, analysis or interpretation of the study.

Conflict of interest

None to declare.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardio-Renal Medicine and Hypertension, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, 467-8601, Japan

    Tadashi Ichikawa, Michio Fukuda, Tamaki Wakamatsu-Yamanaka, Ryo Sato, Takehiro Naito, Hiroyuki Togawa, Yuji Sasakawa, Tatsuya Tomonari, Masashi Mizuno, Toshiyuki Miura, Yoko Kato, Minamo Ono, Yuichi Shirasawa, Akinori Ito, Atsuhiro Yoshida & Genjiro Kimura

Authors
  1. Tadashi Ichikawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michio Fukuda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tamaki Wakamatsu-Yamanaka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ryo Sato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Takehiro Naito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hiroyuki Togawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yuji Sasakawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Tatsuya Tomonari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Masashi Mizuno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Toshiyuki Miura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Yoko Kato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Minamo Ono
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Yuichi Shirasawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. Akinori Ito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  15. Atsuhiro Yoshida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  16. Genjiro Kimura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michio Fukuda.

About this article

Cite this article

Ichikawa, T., Fukuda, M., Wakamatsu-Yamanaka, T. et al. Low birth weight and end-stage renal disease: demographic analysis by region in Japan. Clin Exp Nephrol 16, 596–603 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10157-012-0600-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10157-012-0600-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation