Should we assess cardiovascular risk in young adults born preterm?

Abstract

Eleven percent of infants are born preterm worldwide. Preterm infants continue their development and growth in a substantially different environment than in uterus. The prenatal and postnatal period have long-lasting effects on a child's health. Previous studies have shown that adults born preterm with very low birth weight show enhancement of cardiometabolic risk factors such as elevated blood pressure and impaired glucose regulation compared with their peers born at term. Recent studies have more often included individuals born less preterm, as over 70% of premature infants are born late preterm (in 34-36 gestational weeks). Adults born preterm have elevated levels of cardiometabolic-risk factors concerning several aspects such as body size and composition, energy metabolism, blood pressure, vascular structure, glucose and lipid metabolism, lifestyle, and some emerging cardiometabolic-risk factors. Most of the cardiometabolic-risk factors related to preterm birth are modifiable. Favorable early-life circumstances of premature infants, such as optimal nutrition and growth, might reduce the risk of later cardiometabolic disorders. In addition, adults born preterm might particularly benefit from screening of risk factors and promotion of a healthy lifestyle.