Abdominal aortic intima-media thickness in preschool children born preterm

Area of Science:

• Pediatric cardiology
• Vascular biology
• Neonatology

Background:

• Aortic intima-media thickness (IMT) is an early marker for preclinical atherosclerosis in high-risk children.
• Children born preterm exhibit early insulin resistance, a potential risk factor for adult metabolic syndrome.
• Optimal cardiovascular disease markers for preterm infants are currently lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of preterm birth on aortic IMT in preschool-aged children.
• To determine if preterm birth is associated with subclinical vasculopathy during early childhood.

Main Methods:

• Ultrasound measurement of mean aortic intima-media thickness (IMT).
• Comparison between a preterm group (gestational age <37 weeks) and a term-born control group.
• Statistical analysis to determine significant differences in aortic IMT between groups.

Main Results:

• The mean aortic IMT was significantly thicker in the preterm group compared to the term group.
• Preterm group median IMT: 577 μm (IQR 524-599) vs. Term group median IMT: 517 μm (IQR 442-544).
• The observed difference in aortic IMT was statistically significant (p=0.003).

Conclusions:

• Preterm birth is associated with increased aortic intima-media thickness in preschool children.
• Aortic IMT may serve as an early indicator of subclinical vasculopathy in children born preterm.
• This finding highlights a potential long-term cardiovascular risk associated with preterm birth.