Fetal growth restriction in preterm infants and cardiovascular function at five years of age

• Objectives We have previously reported an increased cardiac workload in newborn preterm small (SGA) infants, but not in infants appropriate for gestational age (AGA). We hypothesized that these cardiovascular changes win persist at follow-tip at 5 years of age. Study design We assessed blood pressure, echocardiography, and shin perfusion with laser Doppler flowmetry in 22 SGA (S21 +/- 248 g. 28.5 +/- 2:5 gestational weeks) and in 25 AGA (1065 +/- 241 g, 27.6 +/- 0.8 weeks) preterm children at age 5 years. Laser Doppler flowmetry also was used in 13 control children (3982 +/- 425 g, 40.4 +/- 1.8 weeks). Results The preterm children in both the SGA and AGA groups had similar higher systolic blood pressures, increased interventricular septum thicknesses, and smaller left ventricular end-diastolic diameters compared with population reference values. Maximal endothelium-independent perfusion to sodium nitroprusside was higher and maximal endothelium-dependent perfusion to acetylcholine reached a plateau earlier in the AGA preterm group than in the control group. Conclusions Prematurity may, impair cardiovascular function independently of intrauterine growth restriction. Altered cardiac dimensions and differences in perfusion responses may reflect increased cardiac afterload.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)