title: Alterations in viscoelastic properties following premature birth may lead to hypertension and cardiovascular disease development in later life.
abstract: The aim of this review was to identify the underlying relationship between preterm birth and the development of cardiovascular diseases. Preterm birth significantly affects the elastin content and viscoelastic properties of the vascular extracellular matrix in human arteries. Inadequate elastin synthesis during early development may cause a permanent increase in arterial stiffness in adulthood.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early and permanent alterations in viscoelastic properties may lead to hypertension and cardiovascular disease development in adults born prematurely.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Centre, Reunion Island, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tauzin
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001011:Aorta / Q000503:physiopathology; D004549:Elastin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
chemical_list: D004549:Elastin
keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Hypertension; Preterm birth; Programming