London

A large population-based study from Sweden has found that individuals born with low birthweight face a significantly higher risk of stroke in early adulthood, regardless of body mass index (BMI) or gestational age.

The findings were presented at the European Congress on Obesity 2026 in Istanbul, underscoring the long-term impact of early-life factors on cardiovascular health.

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg, including Lina Lilja and Maria Bygdell, analysed data from nearly 800,000 individuals born between 1973 and 1982.

The study drew on multiple national databases, including Sweden’s Medical Birth Register and National Patient Register, tracking participants until the end of 2022 to assess stroke incidence.

Over the study period, researchers recorded 2,252 first-time stroke cases, including 1,624 ischaemic strokes and 588 intracerebral haemorrhages. Individuals with birthweights below the median of 3.5 kg were found to have a 21 per cent higher overall risk of stroke.

The risk increase was consistent across stroke types and genders, with women showing an 18 per cent higher risk and men a 23 per cent higher risk.

Notably, the association remained significant regardless of BMI in young adulthood or gestational age at birth—factors that were not found to independently predict stroke risk in this analysis.

Although stroke rates have declined in many high-income countries, the reduction has been less pronounced among younger adults. In some regions—including parts of Southeast Asia and countries like United States and United Kingdom—stroke incidence among younger populations is even rising.

The researchers said that recognising low birthweight as a potential risk factor could help improve early identification and prevention strategies for stroke in adulthood.

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“Lower birthweight is associated with an increased risk of early adult stroke for both men and women, and for both major stroke types,” the authors concluded, suggesting it may be useful to include birthweight in adult stroke risk assessments.