Cardiac function and arterial indices in infants born small for gestational age: analysis by speckle tracking

To compare strain indices between small for gestational age (SGA) infants and asymptomatic appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants and to ascertain correlations with arterial biophysical properties.

In this prospective observational echocardiographic study, 20 inborn term SGA infants weighing <3rd centile for gestational age were compared with 20 AGA infants. Demographic and echocardiographic data were analysed regarding cardiac strain and strain rate and arterial indices (stiffness, impedance and strain elastic modulus). Correlations between variables were assessed using Pearson's coefficient of correlation.

Ponderal index was significantly lower in SGA infants (24.6 ± 2.9 vs. 29.5 ± 2.5). Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) was noted to be significantly impaired in the SGA infants (-15.9% ± 2.1 vs. -21.3% ± 2.8, p < 0.001). A basal to apical gradient was noted in segmental strain. Arterial biophysical measurements were significantly altered in the SGA infants. Significant correlations were noted between GLS and arterial stiffness (r = -0.4, p = 0.03), weight-indexed stiffness (r = -0.45, p = 0.02) and pressure-strain elastic modulus (r = -0.49, p = 0.01).

Impairment in myocardial deformation was noted in the presence of altered arterial biophysical properties in the SGA infants.