Early Changes in the Biophysical Properties of the Aorta in Pre-Adolescent Children Born Small for Gestational Age

• Published in: The Journal of pediatrics Vol. 156; no. 3; pp. 388 - 392
• Main Authors: Bradley, Timothy J., MB, ChB, Potts, James E., PhD, Lee, Shoo K., MBBS, PhD, Potts, Mary T., RDMS, De Souza, Astrid M., MSc, Sandor, George G.S., MB, ChB
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Maryland Heights, MO Mosby, Inc 01.03.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Aorta, Thoracic - diagnostic imaging; Aorta, Thoracic - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Blood Flow Velocity; Blood Pressure; Body Mass Index; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnosis; Child; Diseases of mother, fetus and pregnancy; Echocardiography, Doppler; Elasticity; Female; Follow-Up Studies; General aspects; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Heart Rate; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Small for Gestational Age; Male; Medical sciences; Pediatrics; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; Risk Factors; Systolic blood pressure; Input impedance; BPs; Characteristic impedance; Diastolic blood pressure; Zc; Ep; SGA; PWV; Zi; Stiffness index; Body mass index; Elastic pressure-strain modulus; BPd; Pulse wave velocity; β-index; Small for gestational age; BMI; Human; Pediatrics; Intrauterine growth retardation; Pregnancy disorders; Low birth weight; Biophysics; Change; Birth; Properties; Artery; Preadolescent; Fetal diseases; Newborn diseases; Prematurity; Blood vessel; Aorta; Early; Circulatory system; Child
• ISSN: 0022-3476; 1097-6833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.10.002

Objective To assess the biophysical properties of the aorta in children born small for gestational age (SGA) with an echo-Doppler method and to determine associations with known perinatal risk factors. Study design In this cross-sectional study, 39 SGA and 41 control subjects aged 8 to 13 years were recruited. Perinatal risk factors were recorded. The aortic diameters and pulse wave transit time around the aortic arch were measured with echo-Doppler and the blood pressure recorded. Pulse wave velocity, aortic input impedance (Zi), characteristic impedance (Zc), arterial pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep), and arterial wall stiffness index (β-index) were calculated. Results Pulse wave velocity (374 ± 46 vs 348 ± 47cm/sec, P < .02); Zi (177 ± 39 vs 142 ± 27 dynes · sec/cm5 , P  < .0001); Zc (185 ± 29 vs 152 ± 37 dynes · sec/cm5 , P < .0001); Ep (286 ± 101 vs 216 ± 41 mm Hg, P < .0001); and β-index (2.43 ± 0.32 vs 2.17 ± 0.15, P < .0001) were all higher in SGA. We found negative associations between the following: birth weight and Zi, Zc, Ep, and β-index; as well as body mass index and Zi, Zc. Conclusion This simple echo-Doppler method demonstrated abnormal biophysical properties of the aorta in a cohort of pre-adolescent patients born SGA who remain small in stature and continue to have normal blood pressure.