Background: There is emerging evidence of differences in cardiac structure and function in preterm-born adults and increased risk of heart failure. However, there is a paucity of data in populations who have been exposed to modern intensive care and the impact of perinatal factors is unclear.
Aims: To compare echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function in a regional cohort of 17-year-olds born very preterm compared to term-born peers and the influence of perinatal factors.
Study design: Observational longitudinal cohort study.
Subjects: A regional cohort of ninety-one 17-year-olds born at <32 weeks gestation compared to sixty-two term-born controls.
Outcome measures: Echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function.
Results: Left ventricular and right atrial volume and left ventricular mass, indexed to body surface area, were significantly smaller in preterm-born adolescents compared to term-born controls even when adjusted for sex. There were no between group differences in cardiac function. Within those born preterm we found a significant association between gestational age and birthweight z-score and measures of cardiac function at 17 years. Within the preterm group, those with a diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia had higher left ventricular posterior wall thickness, higher mitral deceleration time and lower left atrial area and tricuspid annular plane of systolic excursion.
Conclusions: Adolescents born very prematurely, who have received modern intensive care, have measurable differences in heart structure compared to their term-born peers but heart function is preserved. For those born preterm, gestational age, birthweight and bronchopulmonary dysplasia are associated with differences in cardiac function.
Keywords: Adolescent; Cardiovascular; Echocardiography; Premature birth.
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