Preterm born young adults had significantly higher resting systolic blood pressure (147 vs 138 mmHg, p=0.037) and lower maximal exercise workload compared to full-term born adults.
Observational (n=76)
No
Does targeted Vitamin D supplementation improve cardiovascular response and exercise capacity in young adults born preterm?
Young adults born preterm exhibit impaired cardiovascular responses and reduced exercise capacity compared to full-term peers, which was not significantly improved by one year of targeted Vitamin D supplementation.
Absolute Event Rate: 147% vs 138%
p-value: p=0.037
Abstract Background Prematurity has been associated with higher risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) later in life. The mechanisms to cause CVD in adulthood after preterm birth seems to be multifactorial. Also, low Vit D levels have been associated with high risk of CVD and mortality. Purpose We studied the cardiovascular health in young adults born preterm and the effect of targeted one-year Vit D intervention for cardiovascular measurements. Methods Preterm born population (PT) consists of 38 healthy young adults born in 1994-1997 in local University Hospital. Inclusion criteria (PT) were: 1) born before 34 gestation weeks with very low birth weight (1500g), 2) born under 32 gestation weeks and 3) they had no adulthood health issues in daily life. 38 controls born full-term (FT) were age and gender matched. Out of 38 participants, 22 were females and 16 males in both groups. Their medical records were monitored, but also subjects filled wide health enquiry. Both groups participated for exercise-testing at the baseline and PT group completed one-year targeted Vit D oral supplementation (target: S-D-OH25 80nmol/l) with new exercise-test at the end of study. The Vit D levels were measured from all participants. Results The PT group had higher mean systolic (SBP 147 vs 138mmHg, p=0,037) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP 84 vs 77mmHg, p=0.003) before start of exercise and during exercise maximal SBP was significantly higher (217 vs 200mmHg, p=0.012) compared to FT group. Maximal workload (watts) was lower in PT group (200 vs. 250watts / 123% vs 149% exp.). There was no difference between groups in pulse (rest, max, recovery) or saturation. PT group showed higher blood pressures also during 6min recovery but not significantly. At baseline 76% of PT and 74 % FT had appropriate Vit D level (50 nmol/l). Targeted Vit D supplementation increased S-D-OH25 levels over 80nmol/l until PT group completed new exercise-testing after one year. Blood pressures were lower but not significantly compared to PT baseline exercise test measurements. Conclusions Preterm born adults without any apparent daily health issues had, higher blood pressure at rest and during maximal exercise, and lower maximal performance in exercise-test compared to full term born adults. Vitamin D defiency is still found from remarkable part of population (24/26%) of young healthy adults’ population. Further study is needed to state whether Vit D has a beneficial effect in blood pressure regulation in preterm born adults.For image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text. For image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text.
Patsi et al. (Mon,) conducted a observational in Preterm birth and cardiovascular health (n=76). Preterm birth vs. Full-term birth was evaluated on Mean systolic blood pressure before start of exercise (p=0.037). Preterm born young adults had significantly higher resting systolic blood pressure (147 vs 138 mmHg, p=0.037) and lower maximal exercise workload compared to full-term born adults.