CYSTATIN C BASED EGFR IS SUPERIOR FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN PRETERM CHILDREN

Abstract

Objective: Preterm birth is a risk factor for hypertension (HTN), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. The aims of the study were to evaluate the utility of eGFR based on cystatin C (Cys C) compared to creatinine in regard to associations with office blood pressure (BP) and central systolic BP (cSBP). Design and method: This case-control study included 52 children and adolescents born prematurely (ex-preterms) and 26 at full term (controls) matched for age in 2:1 ratio. All participants underwent office BP and cSBP measurement and laboratory evaluation including assessment of CysC values at the same visit. Results: Mean age of the population was 10.74±3.55 years. There were no significant differences in BP levels, eGFR(creatinine) and eGFR(CysC) between ex-preterm and control group. CysC levels were similar between the ex-preterm and the control group. CysC significantly correlated with cSBP z score (r=0.32, p=0.02, Spearman test). This association remained significant after adjustment for age, sex and BMI z score in the ex-preterm group (B=1.003, 95%CI 1.001-0.005, p=0.006). 42% (n=22) of the ex-preterm children presented cSBP levels greater than the 95th percentile. eGFR(CysC) presented positive association with office DBP (r=-0.37, p= 0.006, Spearman test) and cSBP z score (r= -0.32, p=0.022, Spearman test) in the ex-preterm group, but not in the control group (Figure). eGFR(creatinine) did not associate with BP parameters. eGFR(creatinine) overestimated eGFR levels in ex-preterm group (mean difference 20.56±22.66, p <0.001). Two (3%) and 17(32.6%) ex preterm children had GFR < 90 ml/min/1.73m2 by creatinine-based eGFR compared by eGFR(CysC). Conclusions: eGFR(CysC) presents apositive association with cSBP and thus, may better classify future cardiovascular risk in ex-preterm children. cSBP elevation and its association with CysC maybe a target for future studies to elucidate the role of central hemodynamic alterations in the development of HTN and CV disease in the ex-preterm individuals.