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Effect of preterm birth on growth and cardiovascular disease risk at school age
Satomi Inomata1, Taketoshi Yoshida1, Uta Koura1
1Division of Neonatology, Maternal and Perinatal Center, Toyama University Hospital, Toyama, Japan.
Insights
Premature birth is linked to higher systolic blood pressure in children. Shorter gestational age in preterm infants correlates with increased cardiovascular disease risk factors later in life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Neonatal Studies
Background:
- Low birthweight is a known risk factor for adult cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- The association between premature birth and later-life CVD risk requires further investigation.
- This study examines gestational age as a predictor of CVD risk factors in school-aged children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between gestational age and CVD risk factors at school age.
- To compare CVD risk factors between preterm small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) children.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of medical check-up data from 182 preterm children (9 and 12 years old).
- Assessment of height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, and lipid profiles.
- Comparison of outcomes based on gestational age and SGA/AGA status.
Main Results:
- Gestational age positively correlated with height and inversely with systolic blood pressure.
- Preterm SGA children were shorter and lighter than preterm AGA children.
- No significant differences in CVD risk factors were found between SGA and AGA preterm groups.
Conclusions:
- Shorter gestational duration in preterm infants is associated with elevated systolic blood pressure during school age.
- Gestational age is a significant factor influencing cardiovascular health trajectories from infancy.
Background:
Low birthweight is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in later life, but whether premature birth is also a risk factor for CVD has not been fully determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between gestational age and risk factors for CVD at school age.
Methods:
Using medical check-up data of school children, the relationship between gestational age and height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure, and lipid profiles at ages 9 and 12 years were investigated in children born preterm and admitted to neonatal intensive care unit at birth (n = 182; 115 boys and 67 girls). These data were also compared between preterm small for gestational age (SGA) children and preterm appropriate for gestational age (AGA) children.
Results:
Gestational age was positively associated with height, and inversely associated with systolic blood pressure at school age. Preterm SGA children were significantly shorter and lighter at 9 and 12 years of age compared with preterm AGA children, but there were no significant differences in any CVD risk factors between the groups.
Conclusions:
In preterm infants, a shorter duration of gestation is associated with higher systolic blood pressure at school age.
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