Foetal growth restriction, prematurity tied to higher BP in children

Among school-aged children, having been born premature and with foetal growth restriction (FGR) appears to be associated with higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) and augmentation index (AIx), a new study has found.

Researchers conducted a prospective assessment of 204 children aged 7–12 years, of whom 141 were born preterm. Participants were made to undergo a cycle ergometer exercise test. Cardiovascular measures, including SBP and AIx, were measured using an oscillometric device before and after the intervention.

Mean central SBP was 112.2 mm Hg in children who were born preterm but had no FGR, while term comparators had an average reading of 108.3 mm Hg. The mean difference of 3.5 mm Hg was statistically significant (p=0.005).

A similar but stronger effect was reported for preterm children with FGR, in whom the mean central SBP was 114.7 mm Hg, higher by a significant 6.4 mm Hg than in term controls (p<0.01).

Similarly, preterm-born children with FGR had significantly higher AIx than term controls (15.5 percent vs 11.1 percent; p=0.009). The same was true for mean arterial pressure (86.4 vs 80.8 mm Hg; p=0.005) and augmentation pressure (8.6 vs 6.0 mm Hg; p=0.021).

“These data suggest that long-term cardiovascular assessment, including measurement of blood pressure as a minimum screening tool, is essential to prevent longer term morbidity and mortality associated with preterm birth,” the researchers said.