Maladaptive structural remodelling of the heart following preterm birth

•The immature cardiac muscle of the preterm heart is ill-prepared for postnatal life.•The immature preterm heart undergoes structural remodelling after birth.•Preterm birth is associated with hypotension in neonates and hypertension in adults.•Antenatal steroids have the potential to adversely impact heart development.•Mechanical ventilation in preterm infants can adversely affect cardiac structure.