OP06.03: Cardiac magnetic resonance in young adults born small for gestational age reveals right ventricular remodelling

Abstract

Cardiac remodelling and dysfunction occur in small-for-gestational age (SGA) fetuses and children, but it is uncertain whether and how these effects persist into adulthood. We aimed to evaluate cardiac structure and function in SGA young adults. A perinatal cohort from a tertiary university hospital in Spain, including young adults (30-40y) born SGA (birth weight below 10th centile, n = 61) and with normal intrauterine growth (n = 66). Cardiac structure and function were assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance including biventricular end-diastolic shape analysis. Results were adjusted by age, gender, asthma, education, smoking habit, gestational age at delivery, breastfeeding and gestational hypertension. SGA individuals showed similar indexed cardiac dimensions, mass, relative wall thickness and function. Shape analysis demonstrated significant changes in right ventricular geometry with slight flattening of the basal septum and wider RV base in SGA compared to controls (Delong test p = 0.02, figure 1). Young adults born SGA showed significant changes in right ventricular geometry. These results support further research to clarify the potential links with increased cardiovascular mortality in adults born SGA. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.