Left ventricle dimensions in preterm infants during the first month of life

This study was designed to evaluate left ventricle dimensions in preterm in fants during the first month of life, in order to define reference Values a nd their correlation with gestational age, birth weight, gender and baselin e. Thirty-five infants, gestational age 25-29 (mean 27.9 +/- 1.4) weeks, bi rth weight 750-1249 (mean 965 +/- 206) g, were measured using echocardiogra phy on days 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 of life. The following dimensions were meas ured: end-systolic and end-diastolic interventricular septum thickness, end -systolic and end-diastolic left ventricle posterior wall thickness, end-di astolic and end-systolic left ventricle diameter. A progressive and signifi cant increase of all the left ventricle measurements was observed during th e first month of life. Left ventricle dimensions at the first scan (Day 3) correlated with birth weight but not with gestational age and gender. The d egree of the increase observed during the first month of life was inversely related to the baseline, suggesting that the smaller the left ventricle is at birth, the higher is its postnatal increase toward dimensions similar t o those of term infants. Our study gives reference data about left ventricl e dimensions of preterm infants during the first month of life and is helpf ul when making a diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in these subject s.