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Impaired endothelial function and increased carotid stiffness in 9-year-old children with low birthweight

H Martin1, J Hu, G Gennser

  • 1Department of Women and Child Health, Division of Neonatology, Karolinska Hospital, Department of Clinical Science, Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Huddinge Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. helena.martin@kbh.ki.se

Circulation
|November 30, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Children born with low birthweight (LBW) exhibit impaired endothelial function and increased carotid artery stiffness. These early vascular changes may increase adult cardiovascular disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Low birthweight (LBW) is linked to adult cardiovascular disease.
  • Endothelial dysfunction and reduced arterial elasticity are early indicators of hypertension and atherosclerosis.
  • This study investigated these vascular markers in prepubertal children with and without LBW.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess endothelial function in children with LBW.
  • To evaluate arterial elasticity in children with LBW.
  • To determine if LBW is associated with early signs of vascular compromise.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation using acetylcholine and nitroglycerin, measuring skin perfusion with laser Doppler.
  • Measured abdominal aorta and common carotid artery elasticity using an ultrasonic vessel-wall tracking system.
  • Compared vascular markers between 22 LBW children and 22 normal-birthweight controls.

Main Results:

  • Children with LBW demonstrated significantly lower endothelium-dependent vasodilation compared to controls (88+/-33 PU vs. 133+/-34 PU, P<0.001).
  • No differences in aortic or carotid elasticity were observed between groups.
  • A negative correlation between birthweight and carotid artery stiffness was found (r=-0.45, P<0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Schoolchildren with LBW history show impaired endothelial function.
  • A trend towards increased carotid artery stiffness was observed in LBW children.
  • These findings suggest early vascular compromise in LBW individuals, potentially increasing future cardiovascular disease susceptibility.
Abstract

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