Kivonat:
PURPOSE: Low birth weight and accelerated postnatal growth
appear to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of
hypertension and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. The aim of
the present study was to characterize the factors determining
pulse wave velocity (PWV) in teenagers and, in particular, to
verify the relationship with birth weight, postnatal growth,
timing of adiposity rebound, lifestyle, and hemodynamic
parameters. METHODS: Carotid-femoral and carotid-radial pulse
wave velocities of 558 healthy teenagers (age range: 16.2-19.9
years) were determined by means of a PulsePen tonometer. Birth
weight and gestational age were obtained from obstetrical
records, and data regarding postnatal growth were obtained from
pediatric clinical records. RESULTS: No change in aortic PWV was
found in association with birth weight, postnatal growth, and
timing of adiposity rebound. However, the study showed a strong
association between accelerated growth from 0 to 12 months and
carotid-radial PWV (trend: p = .02). Subjects with birth weight
values <2,500 g showed higher values of upper limb PWV (p < .05)
and higher values of diastolic and mean arterial pressure (p <
.05). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that mean arterial
pressure, age, and height were the main independent factors
determining aortic PWV in this young population. CONCLUSIONS:
These results suggest that there is no linear correlation
between birth weight and hemodynamic parameters in teenagers;
however, subjects characterized by very low birth weight and
accelerated postnatal weight gain appear to demonstrate
increased upper limb PWV and diastolic and mean arterial
pressure values.
