The Preterm Heart in Childhood: Left Ventricular Structure, Geometry, and Function Assessed by Echocardiography in 6-Year-Old Survivors of Periviable Births.

ABSTRACT: Preterm birth has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity in adult life. We evaluated whether preterm birth is associated with deviating cardiac structure and function before school start. In total, 176 children aged 6 years and born extremely preterm (EXPT; gestational age of 22-26 weeks) and 134 children born at term (control [CTRL]) were studied. We used echocardiography to assess left heart dimensions, geometry, and functions. Recording and off-line analyses of echocardiographic images were performed by operators blinded to group belonging. Body size, blood pressure, and heart rate were also measured. Rates of family history of cardiovascular disease and sex distribution were similar in the EXPT and CTRL groups. Heart rate and systolic blood pressure did not dif

SUBMITTER: Mohlkert LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5850168 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature