Early changes in the biophysical properties of the aorta in pre-adolescent children born small for gestational age.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the biophysical properties of the aorta in children born small for gestational age (SGA) with an echo-Doppler method and to determine associations with known perinatal risk factors.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 39 SGA and 41 control subjects aged 8 to 13 years were recruited. Perinatal risk factors were recorded. The aortic diameters and pulse wave transit time around the aortic arch were measured with echo-Doppler and the blood pressure recorded. Pulse wave velocity, aortic input impedance (Zi), characteristic impedance (Zc), arterial pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep), and arterial wall stiffness index (beta-index) were calculated.


RESULTS
Pulse wave velocity (374 +/- 46 vs 348 +/- 47 cm/sec, P < .02); Zi (177 +/- 39 vs 142 +/- 27 dynes x sec/cm(5), P < .0001); Zc (185 +/- 29 vs 152 +/- 37 dynes x sec/cm(5), P < .0001); Ep (286 +/- 101 vs 216 +/- 41 mm Hg, P < .0001); and beta-index (2.43 +/- 0.32 vs 2.17 +/- 0.15, P < .0001) were all higher in SGA. We found negative associations between the following: birth weight and Zi, Zc, Ep, and beta-index; as well as body mass index and Zi, Zc.


CONCLUSIONS
This simple echo-Doppler method demonstrated abnormal biophysical properties of the aorta in a cohort of pre-adolescent patients born SGA who remain small in stature and continue to have normal blood pressure.
Bradley
Timothy J
TJ
Division of Cardiology, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Potts
James E
JE
Lee
Shoo K
SK
Potts
Mary T
MT
De Souza
Astrid M
AM
Sandor
George G S
GG
D000293:Adolescent; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors