Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Arterial hypertension remains the most significant modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and is a leading cause of premature mortality worldwide. Evidence from longitudinal studies, spanning early childhood to young adulthood, confirms that elevated blood pressure (BP) in adolescence strongly predicts hypertension (HT) in later life, whereas normal BP values in childhood are associated with a lower risk of developing hypertension in middle age. Increasing attention has been drawn to prenatal and perinatal determinants of cardiovascular health, and numerous studies suggest that the mode of delivery may play an important role in shaping blood pressure regulation in later life. The study ultimately included 747 children and adolescents aged 4–15 years. Anthropometric assessments, blood pressure measurements, and comprehensive evaluation of prenatal and perinatal factors were conducted. Delivery by caesarean section (C-section) was associated with a higher likelihood of elevated blood pressure. Among children born via C-section, 43.5% presented with increased BP values, compared with 38.8% in the group born naturally. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.015*). Additionally, arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 23.5% of children delivered vaginally. C-section can increase the risk of elevated blood pressure during childhood, suggesting that mode of delivery may be an important early life determinant of cardiovascular health.</p>