Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2025
Echocardiographic Characterization of Left Ventricular Structure, Function, and Coronary Flow in Neonate Mice
Published on: April 7, 2022
Cardiac structure and function in very preterm-born adolescents compared to term-born controls: A longitudinal cohort
Sarah Harris1, Laura Perston2, Kiran More3
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Otago Christchurch, Po Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Insights
Adolescents born very preterm show altered heart structure but preserved function. Perinatal factors like gestational age and birthweight impact cardiac function in these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Emerging evidence suggests cardiac differences in preterm adults, increasing heart failure risk.
- Limited data exists on cardiac outcomes in preterm individuals exposed to modern intensive care.
- The influence of perinatal factors on adult cardiac health in preterm survivors is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cardiac structure and function using echocardiography in 17-year-olds born very preterm versus term-born peers.
- To investigate the impact of perinatal factors on cardiac outcomes in very preterm adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Observational longitudinal cohort study design.
- Inclusion of 91 adolescents born very preterm (<32 weeks gestation) and 62 term-born controls.
- Echocardiographic assessment of cardiac structure and function at age 17.
Main Results:
- Preterm adolescents exhibited smaller left ventricular and right atrial volumes and left ventricular mass indexed to body surface area compared to controls.
- No significant differences in cardiac function were observed between preterm and term-born groups.
- In preterm individuals, gestational age and birthweight z-score correlated with cardiac function. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was associated with specific cardiac structural and functional variations.
Conclusions:
- Very preterm adolescents, even with modern intensive care, display distinct heart structure but maintained cardiac function.
- Gestational age, birthweight, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia are linked to cardiac function differences in preterm survivors.
Background:
There is emerging evidence of differences in cardiac structure and function in preterm-born adults and increased risk of heart failure. However, there is a paucity of data in populations who have been exposed to modern intensive care and the impact of perinatal factors is unclear.
Aims:
To compare echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function in a regional cohort of 17-year-olds born very preterm compared to term-born peers and the influence of perinatal factors.
Study Design:
Observational longitudinal cohort study.
Subjects:
A regional cohort of ninety-one 17-year-olds born at <32 weeks gestation compared to sixty-two term-born controls.
Outcome Measures:
Echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function.
Results:
Left ventricular and right atrial volume and left ventricular mass, indexed to body surface area, were significantly smaller in preterm-born adolescents compared to term-born controls even when adjusted for sex. There were no between group differences in cardiac function. Within those born preterm we found a significant association between gestational age and birthweight z-score and measures of cardiac function at 17 years. Within the preterm group, those with a diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia had higher left ventricular posterior wall thickness, higher mitral deceleration time and lower left atrial area and tricuspid annular plane of systolic excursion.
Conclusions:
Adolescents born very prematurely, who have received modern intensive care, have measurable differences in heart structure compared to their term-born peers but heart function is preserved. For those born preterm, gestational age, birthweight and bronchopulmonary dysplasia are associated with differences in cardiac function.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Development of the Heart
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart...
01:29Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance