Increased systolic daily ambulatory blood pressure in adult women born preterm

Pediatr Nephrol. 2005 Feb;20(2):232-3. doi: 10.1007/s00467-004-1717-4. Epub 2004 Dec 4.

Abstract

We have studied 24-h ambulatory blood pressure and kidney function in three groups of adult women: (1) born full term but with birth weights below the 3rd percentile for gestational age (n =18), (2) born preterm before gestational week 33 (median birth weight 1,250 g, range 950-2,040 g) (ex-preterm, n =14), and (3) those born full term with normal birth weights (comparison group n =17). We have previously published the results from the study. We recalculated the daily ambulatory blood pressure and redefined the time interval from 6:00-24:00 to 8:00-20:00, since this better corresponds to daily active life. We found significantly increased mean daily systolic ambulatory blood pressure in the ex-preterm group. The result supports the suggestion that disturbance and/or disruption of the normal prenatal milieu seem to affect arterial blood pressure in adult life.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure / physiology*
  • Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature / physiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*
  • Systole