Impact of Preterm Birth on Long-Term Cardiac Function: A Comprehensive Echocardiographic Study in School-Aged Children

TL;DR

This study finds that children born preterm show subtle cardiac function differences at school age compared to those born at term, especially in diastolic and longitudinal strain measurements.

Contribution

The study reveals novel insights into long-term cardiac function in preterm children using advanced echocardiographic techniques.

Findings

Preterm children showed higher mitral and tricuspid A and E values compared to term-born children.

Right and left ventricular strain measurements were significantly lower in preterm children.

Conventional echocardiography showed no major differences, but advanced strain measurements revealed subtle cardiac function changes.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the cardiac functions of 7- to 11-year-old children with a history of preterm birth using echocardiography and to assess the relationship between these functions and neonatal factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 64 children were included in the study, consisting of 32 children aged 7 to 11 years with a history of preterm birth and 32 age- and gender-matched term birth controls. Results: While no significant differences were detected between the preterm and term birth groups regarding age, height, and body weight, echocardiographic data revealed higher values of mitral E, mitral A, and tricuspid A by pulse wave Doppler, as well as septal E by tissue Doppler, in the preterm group compared to the term birth group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the left ventricular global longitudinal peak strain, right ventricular free wall and right ventricular 4-chamber strain, IVRT, MPI, MAPSE, and LVESV values were lower in the preterm group than in the term birth group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were detected in circumferential strain measurements. Right ventricular strain measurements were significantly lower in the preterm group (p = 0.001). Conclusions: While conventional echocardiographic examinations did not reveal obvious pathological findings in school-age children with a history of preterm birth, further echocardiographic assessments demonstrated differences compared to term birth controls, particularly in diastolic functions and right and left ventricular longitudinal strain measurements.