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Normal reference ranges for cardiac valve cross-sectional areas in preterm infants

Lulu Abushaban1, Mariappa Thinakar Vel2, Jebaraj Rathinasamy2

  • 1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Chest Diseases Hospital, Ministry of Health, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait.

Annals of Pediatric Cardiology
|February 15, 2018
PubMed

Insights

This study establishes normal cardiac valve cross-sectional areas (CSAs) for preterm infants, finding a strong correlation between CSAs and body weight. These reference ranges aid in assessing valve development in premature neonates.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Neonatal Echocardiography
  • Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

  • Establishing normal cardiac valve dimensions is crucial for diagnosing congenital heart disease and monitoring growth in neonates.
  • Preterm infants present unique physiological challenges, necessitating specific reference ranges for cardiac structures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine normal reference ranges for cardiac valve cross-sectional areas (CSAs) in preterm infants.
  • To investigate the correlation of these CSAs with gestational age, body weight, and chronological age.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 268 preterm infants.
  • Echocardiograms were used to measure aortic, pulmonary, mitral, and tricuspid valve CSAs.
  • Measurements were taken from birth up to 36 weeks corrected gestational age, with data analyzed by gestational age and body weight groups.

Main Results:

  • All measured cardiac valve CSAs showed a significant positive correlation with body weight.
  • A progressive and significant increase in all valve CSAs was observed during the first 9 weeks of life.
  • Valve CSAs increased significantly with increasing body weight across all measured periods.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiac valve CSAs are significantly influenced by body weight in preterm infants.
  • The study provides essential reference data for evaluating valve CSAs in preterm neonates based on gestational age, body weight, and chronological age.
Abstract

Keywords:
Body weightchronological agegestational agepreterm infant babiesreference rangesvalve cross-sectional area

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