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Higher blood pressure in 5‐ to 7‐year‐old children born preterm as compared to children born at term
Author(s) -
Landmann Eva,
Huke Verena,
Brugger Markus,
Strauch Konstantin,
Berthold Lars Daniel,
Rudloff Silvia
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.1187.4
Subject(s) - medicine , blood pressure , gestational age , percentile , birth weight , small for gestational age , pediatrics , low birth weight , bronchopulmonary dysplasia , pregnancy , statistics , genetics , mathematics , biology
Premature birth which is associated with impaired pulmonary and renal function implies higher cardiovascular risk by developing elevated blood pressure early in life. In this study, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was determined from 236 children aged 5 to 7 years, i.e., 116 children born preterm (gestational age 29.8 ± 2.6 (30; 24–33) weeks [mean ± SD (median; range)]) and 120 children born at term using an automated oscillometric device. Being born small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) was defined as birth weight < 10th percentile. All analyses were performed with in‐ and exclusion of children born SGA. Length‐adapted SBP and DBP were significantly higher in preterms compared to children born at term (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0003, respectively). Multiple regression analyses including further variables with potential influence on blood pressure confirmed the independent association between prematurity and SBP and DBP. Being born preterm was associated with an increase in SBP by 3.2 mmHg (p=0.0022) and in DBP by 2.1 mmHg (p=0.0077). This study indicates blood pressure to be significantly higher after preterm birth as early as at the age of 5 to 7 years. Identifying mechanisms underlying higher blood pressure in individuals born preterm is crucial for developing preventive strategies. [Supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG grant no. LA 2428/1–1)]