Key result
Preterm birth was associated with increased left ventricular mass in adulthood (66.5 vs 55.4 g/m2; P<0.001) and significant reductions in systolic and diastolic functional parameters.
Why the study?
Does preterm birth alter left ventricular structure and function in adult life compared to term birth?
Population
234 individuals 20 to 39 years of age, including 102 followed prospectively since preterm birth and 132 born…
Comparison
Preterm birth vs Born at term to uncomplicated pregnancies
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
20 to 39 years
Authors
Discussion
Loading...
Member takes
Implication
May support cardiac surveillance in adults born preterm; leaves open need for prospective validation and interventions.
Key Points
- The study aims to assess whether preterm birth affects left ventricular structure and function in adults.
- 234 individuals aged 20 to 39 underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging.
- 102 subjects had a history of preterm birth, while 132 were born at term from uncomplicated pregnancies.
- Left ventricular parameters were quantified using cine images and a computational cardiac atlas.
- Preterm individuals had increased left ventricular mass (66.5±10.9 g/m² vs. 55.4±11.4 g/m²; P<0.001).
- Reduced systolic and diastolic function parameters were observed (P<0.001 for multiple metrics).
- A diagnosis of preeclampsia was linked to further reductions in longitudinal peak systolic strain in preterm offspring (P=0.02).
Study Design
Type
Cohort (n=234)
Structured PICO
Does preterm birth alter left ventricular structure and function in adult life compared to term birth?
P
Population
234 individuals aged 20 to 39 years, including 102 born preterm and 132 born at term, evaluated for left ventricular structure and function.
E
Exposure
Preterm birth
C
Comparator
Born at term to uncomplicated pregnancies
O
Outcome
Left ventricular mass, 3-dimensional geometric variation, and myocardial function assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonancesurrogate
Main Result
Absolute Event Rate: 66.5% vs 55.4%
p-value: p=<0.001
Preterm birth is associated with adverse left ventricular remodeling and subclinical myocardial dysfunction in young adulthood.
Cite This Study
Lewandowski et al. (2012) conducted a cohort in Preterm birth (n=234). Preterm birth vs. Term birth to uncomplicated pregnancies was evaluated on Left ventricular mass (g/m2) (p=<0.001). Preterm birth was associated with increased left ventricular mass in adulthood (66.5 vs 55.4 g/m2; P<0.001) and significant reductions in systolic and diastolic functional parameters.