H. Martin et al., Impaired endothelial function and increased carotid stiffness in 9-year-old children with low birthweight, CIRCULATION, 102(22), 2000, pp. 2739-2744
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","Cardiovascular & Hematology Research
Background-Low birthweight (LBW) has been associated with an increased inci
dence of adult cardiovascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction and loss of
arterial elasticity are early markers of hypertension and atherosclerosis.
We studied the prevalence of these markers in 44 healthy, prepubertal (age
9+/-1.3 years) children, 22 with LBW for age.
Methods and Results-Endothelial function in skin was tested with the local
application of acetylcholine (inducing endothelium-dependent vasodilation)
and nitroglycerin (endothelium-independent vasodilation), and local perfusi
on changes were measured with the laser Doppler method. The elastic propert
ies of the abdominal aorta and common carotid artery were measured with an
ultrasonic vessel-wall tracking system. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation
was lower in children with LBW (88 +/- 33 perfusion units [PU]) than in nor
mal-birthweight controls (133 +/- 34 PU, P<0.001). There was no difference
in aortic or carotid elasticity between the 2 groups, but a negative correl
ation was found between birthweight and stiffness of the carotid artery wal
l (r= -0.45, P<0.01). Endothelium-independent vasodilation and blood pressu
re were similar in the 2 groups.
Conclusions-Schoolchildren with a history of LBW show impaired endothelial
function and a trend toward increased carotid stiffness. These findings may
be early expressions of vascular compromise, contributing to susceptibilit
y to disease in adult life.