title: Cardiac function and arterial indices in infants born small for gestational age: analysis by speckle tracking.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare strain indices between small for gestational age (SGA) infants and asymptomatic appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants and to ascertain correlations with arterial biophysical properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective observational echocardiographic study, 20 inborn term SGA infants weighing <3rd centile for gestational age were compared with 20 AGA infants. Demographic and echocardiographic data were analysed regarding cardiac strain and strain rate and arterial indices (stiffness, impedance and strain elastic modulus). Correlations between variables were assessed using Pearson's coefficient of correlation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ponderal index was significantly lower in SGA infants (24.6 ± 2.9 vs. 29.5 ± 2.5). Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) was noted to be significantly impaired in the SGA infants (-15.9% ± 2.1 vs. -21.3% ± 2.8, p < 0.001). A basal to apical gradient was noted in segmental strain. Arterial biophysical measurements were significantly altered in the SGA infants. Significant correlations were noted between GLS and arterial stiffness (r = -0.4, p = 0.03), weight-indexed stiffness (r = -0.45, p = 0.02) and pressure-strain elastic modulus (r = -0.49, p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Impairment in myocardial deformation was noted in the presence of altered arterial biophysical properties in the SGA infants.
authors.affiliation: Monash Newborn, Monash Children's, Melbourne, Vic., Australia; Department of Pediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Arvind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sehgal
authors.forename: Tejas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Doctor
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Menahem
mesh_terms: D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000502:physiology*; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D004548:Elasticity; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: small for gestational age; speckle tracking; strain