Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis
06:19

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis

Published on: January 7, 2018

Does preterm birth influence cardiovascular risk in early adulthood?

Gerthe F Kerkhof1, Petra E Breukhoven, Ralph W J Leunissen

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC/Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|May 15, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Preterm birth is linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk factors in young adults. This study found higher blood pressure and heart rate in those born prematurely, suggesting long-term health implications.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular epidemiology
  • Perinatal health outcomes
  • Public health

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
  • Preterm birth, defined as birth before 36 weeks of gestation, affects a significant number of newborns.
  • The long-term impact of preterm birth on cardiovascular health, independent of birth size, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between preterm birth and cardiovascular disease risk factors in young adulthood.
  • To differentiate the effects of preterm birth from those of small-for-gestational-age status on cardiovascular parameters.
  • To assess cardiovascular risk markers such as blood pressure, heart rate, and arterial stiffness in relation to gestational age.

Main Methods:

  • An observational study involving 406 healthy young adults (18-24 years) from existing cohorts.
  • Analysis of associations between gestational age (GA) and cardiovascular parameters including systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), blood pressure variability, heart rate (HR), pulse wave velocity, and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT).
  • Subgroup analyses were performed to distinguish the effects of preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age status.

Main Results:

  • Young adults born preterm exhibited higher unadjusted SBP, PP, SBP and DBP variability, and HR compared to those born at term.
  • Gestational age was inversely associated with SBP, PP, blood pressure variability, and HR, and positively associated with DBP, even after adjusting for confounders.
  • No significant effect of GA was observed on pulse wave velocity or cIMT, although higher PP showed the strongest association with cIMT.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm birth may be associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease in young adulthood.
  • These findings highlight the importance of monitoring cardiovascular health in individuals born preterm.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms linking preterm birth to long-term cardiovascular risk.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response01:20

Exercise and Cardiovascular Response

Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Factors affecting Blood pressure01:28

Factors affecting Blood pressure

Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors:
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Development of Blood Vessels01:07

Development of Blood Vessels

The development of the vascular system in a fetus is a complex and intricate process that begins as early as 15 to 16 days post-conception. This process starts outside the embryo, specifically in the mesoderm of the yolk sac, chorion, and connecting stalk. Approximately two days later, the formation of blood vessels occurs within the embryo itself.
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...