Effect of Birthweight on Cardiac Structure and Function in Young Adults: A 27-Year Prospective Follow-Up Study

A. Sehly, M. Dallo, S. Veluswamy, M. Hou, A. Devlin, G. Huangfu, A. Ihdayhid, L. Adams, G. Watts, B. Adler, L. Beilin, G. Dwivedi, T. Mori

Research output: Contribution to journalAbstract/Meeting Abstract

Abstract

Birthweight has a well-established role on long-term cardiovascular outcomes. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with feature tracking strain analysis is the gold standard for assessing cardiac structure and function, and can detect subclinical dysfunction. This study investigated, using CMR, the long-term effects of birthweight on cardiac structure and function in young adults.

This study assessed cardiac structure and function in the offspring of women enrolled during pregnancy in the Raine Study. Participants all underwent a CMR at 27 years; image segmentation and strain analysis were undertaken by blinded investigators. Participants were stratified into three birthweight categories for analysis: low birthweight (LBW <2,500 g), normal birthweight (NBW 2500–4000 g), and high birthweight (HBW ≥4000 g).

A total of 496 participants were included in the final analysis: 40 in the LBW, 405 in the NBW, and 51 in the HBW group. Left ventricular mass index was significantly increased in the HBW compared with others (44.4 g/m2 vs 48.3 g/m2 vs 50.0 g/m2 for LBW, NBW, and HBW, respectively; p=0.005). Right ventricular stroke volume index, end systolic volume index, and end diastolic volume index also demonstrated significant increases from LBW to HBW (p=0.02; p=0.01; p<0.001, respectively). Left ventricular global longitudinal, radial and circumferential strain showed worsening function with HBW compared with LBW (p=0.02; p=0.03; p=0.045, respectively). Right ventricular global circumferential strain was significantly reduced in the HBW group compared with NBW (–8.6% vs –10.1%; p=0.0013).

A higher birth weight is associated with subclinical structural and functional cardiac changes in young adulthood that may influence long-term cardiac outcomes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S238-S239
JournalHeart, Lung and Circulation
Volume32
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2023
EventAnnual Scientific Meeting of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand - Adelaide, Australia
Duration: 3 Aug 20236 Aug 2023
Conference number: 71

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of Birthweight on Cardiac Structure and Function in Young Adults: A 27-Year Prospective Follow-Up Study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this