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Impact of Preterm Birth on Long-Term Cardiac Function: A Comprehensive Echocardiographic Study in School-Aged
Nidai Dalokay1, Ayse Sulu2,3, Pelin Kosger2
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir 26040, Turkey.
Insights
Preterm birth in children may affect cardiac function, with echocardiography revealing differences in diastolic function and ventricular strain compared to term-born peers. These findings highlight subtle cardiac changes in school-aged children with a preterm history.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Neonatal Research
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Preterm birth can impact long-term health, including cardiovascular development.
- Assessing cardiac function in school-aged children with a history of preterm birth is crucial for understanding developmental effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cardiac functions in 7- to 11-year-old children born preterm using echocardiography.
- To identify relationships between cardiac function and neonatal factors in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 32 preterm-born children and 32 term-born controls (aged 7-11 years).
- Echocardiography, including pulse wave Doppler, tissue Doppler, and strain measurements, was used to assess cardiac function.
- Standard anthropometric measurements (age, height, body weight) were recorded.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in age, height, or body weight between groups.
- Preterm group showed higher mitral E, mitral A, and tricuspid A (pulse wave Doppler), and septal E (tissue Doppler).
- Preterm group exhibited lower left ventricular global longitudinal peak strain, right ventricular strain, IVRT, MPI, MAPSE, and LVESV.
Conclusions:
- Conventional echocardiography may not reveal overt pathology in school-aged preterm children.
- Advanced echocardiographic parameters, particularly diastolic function and ventricular strain, show significant differences compared to term-born controls.
- These findings suggest subtle, yet measurable, cardiac alterations in children with a history of preterm birth.
Abstract:
Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the cardiac functions of 7- to 11-year-old children with a history of preterm birth using echocardiography and to assess the relationship between these functions and neonatal factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 64 children were included in the study, consisting of 32 children aged 7 to 11 years with a history of preterm birth and 32 age- and gender-matched term birth controls. Results: While no significant differences were detected between the preterm and term birth groups regarding age, height, and body weight, echocardiographic data revealed higher values of mitral E, mitral A, and tricuspid A by pulse wave Doppler, as well as septal E by tissue Doppler, in the preterm group compared to the term birth group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the left ventricular global longitudinal peak strain, right ventricular free wall and right ventricular 4-chamber strain, IVRT, MPI, MAPSE, and LVESV values were lower in the preterm group than in the term birth group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were detected in circumferential strain measurements. Right ventricular strain measurements were significantly lower in the preterm group (p = 0.001). Conclusions: While conventional echocardiographic examinations did not reveal obvious pathological findings in school-age children with a history of preterm birth, further echocardiographic assessments demonstrated differences compared to term birth controls, particularly in diastolic functions and right and left ventricular longitudinal strain measurements.
