Key result
Preterm birth was associated with significantly elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adolescence compared to term birth, with no differences found in other cardiovascular health metrics.
Why the study?
Preterm birth has been linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk from childhood into adulthood, but differences in cardiovascular health profiles in adolescents required investigation.
Does preterm birth increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular health profiles in adolescents?
Observational (n=1,491)
Yes
Does preterm birth increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular health profiles in adolescents?
Odds Ratio: 0.972 (95% CI 0.953–0.991)
Absolute Event Rate: 124.5% vs 122.1%
p-value: p=0.004
Preterm birth is associated with elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adolescence, emphasizing the need for early hypertension screening and healthy lifestyle promotion in this population.
May prompt closer BP monitoring in preterm-born adolescents; leaves open whether this alters long-term CV outcomes or practice.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Preterm birth has been linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease from childhood into adolescence and early adulthood. In this study, we aimed to investigate differences in CV health profiles between former term- and preterm-born infants in a cohort of Tyrolean adolescents. METHODS: The Early Vascular Aging (EVA)-Tyrol study is a population-based non-randomized controlled trial, which prospectively enrolled 14- to 19-year-old adolescents in North Tyrol, Austria and South Tyrol, Italy between 2015 and 2018. Metrics of CV health (body mass index (BMI), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), smoking, physical activity, dietary patterns, total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose) were assessed and compared between former term- and preterm-born girls and boys. RESULTS: In total, 1,491 study participants (59.5% female, mean age 16.5 years) were included in the present analysis. SBP and DBP were significantly higher in former preterm-born adolescents (mean gestational age 34.6 ± 2.4 weeks) compared to term-born controls (p < 0.01). In the multivariate regression analysis these findings remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders in all models. No differences were found in all other CV health metrics. The number of participants meeting criteria for all seven health metrics to be in an ideal range was generally very low with 1.5% in former term born vs. 0.9% in former preterm born adolescents (p = 0.583). CONCLUSIONS: Preterm birth is associated with elevated SBP and DBP in adolescence, which was even confirmed for former late preterm-born adolescents in our cohort. Our findings underscore the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles in former term- as well as preterm-born adolescents. In addition, we advise early screening for hypertension and long-term follow-up in the group of preterm-born individuals.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Hochmayr et al. (2023) conducted an observational in Cardiovascular health in preterm birth (n=1,491). Preterm birth vs. Term birth was evaluated on Systolic blood pressure (OR 0.972, 95% CI 0.953-0.991, p=0.004). Preterm birth was associated with significantly elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adolescence compared to term birth, with no differences found in other cardiovascular health metrics.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: