Cardiac Function and Arterial Biophysical Properties in Small for Gestational Age Infants: Postnatal Manifestations of Fetal Programming

Objective To investigate the differences in cardiac function and arterial biophysical properties between term-born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants and small for gestational age (SGA) infants. Our hypothesis was that adaptation to intrauterine growth restriction induces changes in cardiac and arterial indices. Study design This was a prospective observational echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac and arterial indices in SGA infants and AGA infants. Demographic and echocardiographic data were compared between 20 inborn term SGA infants with birth weight < 3rd percentile for gestational age and 20 AGA infants. Results The Ponderal index was significantly lower and blood pressure was significantly higher in the SGA infants compared with the AGA infants. Left ventricular output was lower in the SGA infants (170 +/- 31 mL/kg/min vs 197 +/- 39 mL/kg/min). Diastolic dysfunction was greater in the SGA infants (ie, reduced E and A wave velocities, higher E/A ratio [1.08 +/- 0.16 vs 0.85 +/- 0.07], and prolonged isovolumic relaxation time [73 +/- 6.2 ms vs 62.6 +/- 3.6 ms]). Aortic intima-media thickness was significantly greater in the SGA infants (822 +/- 105 mu cm vs 694 +/- 52 mu m), as were arterial wall stiffness index and input impedance. Conclusion Cardiac function and arterial biophysical properties were altered in the SGA infants. The findings complement the information on the association between in utero growth and cardiovascular morbidity in later life.