Impact of Preterm Birth on Long-Term Cardiac Function: A Comprehensive Echocardiographic Study in School-Aged Children.

Background and

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the cardiac functions of 7- to 11-year-old children with a history of preterm birth using echocardiography and to assess the relationship between these functions and neonatal factors. Materials and

Methods

A total of 64 children were included in the study, consisting of 32 children aged 7 to 11 years with a history of preterm birth and 32 age- and gender-matched term birth controls.

Results

While no significant differences were detected between the preterm and term birth groups regarding age, height, and body weight, echocardiographic data revealed higher values of mitral E, mitral A, and tricuspid A by pulse wave Doppler, as well as septal E by tissue Doppler, in the preterm group compared to the term birth group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the left ventricular global longitudinal peak strain, right ventricular free wall and right ventricular 4-chamber strain, IVRT, MPI, MAPSE, and LVESV values were lower in the preterm group than in the term birth group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were detected in circumferential strain measurements. Right ventricular strain measurements were significantly lower in the preterm group (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

While conventional echocardiographic examinations did not reveal obvious pathological findings in school-age children with a history of preterm birth, further echocardiographic assessments demonstrated differences compared to term birth controls, particularly in diastolic functions and right and left ventricular longitudinal strain measurements.