Exercise Capacity in Young Adults Born Small for Gestational Age

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Public Health

Background:

• Being born small for gestational age (SGA) affects approximately 10% of births and is linked to increased adult cardiovascular mortality.
• Mechanisms linking SGA to adult cardiovascular outcomes remain unclear, despite observed cardiac changes in SGA fetuses and children.
• It is uncertain if cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in SGA individuals persist into adulthood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate baseline cardiac structure and function in young adults born SGA.
• To assess exercise capacity in young adults born SGA.
• To investigate potential long-term cardiovascular implications of being born SGA.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study included 158 young adults (20-40 years) born SGA or within normal growth ranges (controls).
• Participants underwent cardiopulmonary exercise stress testing and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
• Data collected included medical history, lifestyle factors, and clinical measurements (blood pressure, glucose, lipids).

Main Results:

• Adults born SGA showed minor changes in right ventricular geometry but preserved cardiac function at rest.
• Compared to controls, individuals born SGA had significantly lower exercise capacity, including reduced maximal workload and oxygen consumption.
• Exercise capacity was strongly correlated with left ventricular mass in the study cohort.

Conclusions:

• Young adults born SGA demonstrate markedly reduced exercise capacity.
• These findings suggest a need for further research into the causes of impaired exercise capacity in SGA individuals.
• The study supports investigating the association between being born SGA and increased cardiovascular mortality risk in adulthood.