Preterm birth, vascular function, and risk factors for atherosclerosis.
Low birthweight may predispose to the development of atherosclerosis later in life. We have tested the hypothesis that low birthweight as a result of preterm birth is associated with reduced flow-mediated endothelial-dependent vasodilation (FMD), which is an early stage in the development of atherosclerosis. Mean FMD in adolescents born preterm who had a low birthweight did not differ from that for controls born at term (0.225 mm vs 0.220 mm, SD 0.1 for both means, p=0.78). Our findings indicate that low birthweight attributable to prematurity does not increase the risk of vascular disease later in life.
Singhal
A
A
Kattenhorn
M
M
Cole
T J
TJ
Deanfield
J
J
Lucas
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography