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Increased systemic blood pressure and arterial stiffness in young adults born prematurely

L Tauzin1, P Rossi2, C Grosse3

  • 11Department of Neonatology,Territorial Hospital Centre,New Caledonia,France.

Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
|August 27, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Young adults born preterm exhibit higher blood pressure and arterial stiffness. Preterm birth may increase the risk of adult cardiovascular diseases due to these factors.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Low birth weight is a known risk factor for elevated adult systemic blood pressure.
  • Systemic blood pressure and arterial stiffness are reportedly higher in adolescents born prematurely.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and characterize systemic blood pressure and arterial stiffness in young adults who were born preterm.
  • To compare cardiovascular parameters between individuals born preterm and those born at term.

Main Methods:

  • Systemic blood pressure (BP) was measured using an automated oscillometric device.
  • Arterial stiffness (AS) was assessed via carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWV) using a validated non-invasive automated method.
  • Comparisons were made between 16 preterm-born adults (gestational age 32 weeks) and 15 term-born adults (gestational age 40 weeks), all around 21 years old.

Main Results:

  • Preterm-born adults demonstrated significantly higher systolic BP (122 mmHg vs. 112 mmHg), mean BP (89 mmHg vs. 84 mmHg), and diastolic BP (69 mmHg vs. 65 mmHg) compared to term-born adults.
  • Pulse pressure was also significantly elevated in the preterm-born group (54 mmHg vs. 47 mmHg).
  • Carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWV), an indicator of arterial stiffness, was significantly higher in young adults born preterm (7 m/s vs. 6.4 m/s).

Conclusions:

  • Young adults born preterm, even with birth weight appropriate for gestational age, exhibit increased systemic blood pressure and arterial stiffness.
  • Preterm birth may represent a significant risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases later in life, potentially mediated by increased arterial stiffness.

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