Cardiovascular risk factors and hypertension at 5-6 years in children born with a gestational age ≤ 32 weeks

Prematurity, low birth weight, being small for gestational age (SGA), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and admission on a neonatal intensive care unit are cardiovascular risk factors. The objective of this study was to analyze the proportion of patients with cardiovascular risk factors and hypertension at 5-6 years of age, in a cohort of children born very preterm (PTN). Observational, retrospective and cross-sectional study of children born with a gestational age ≤ 32 weeks, hospitalized in a level III neonatal unit, in Portugal, in 2015-2016, currently aged 5-6 years. FGR was identified by the obstetric team. SGA neonates were classified according to Fenton 2013 growth charts. Body mass index (BMI) was classified according to the World Health Organization charts for its z-score and blood pressure (BP) according to the European Society of Hypertension (2016). Thirty patients were included, with a mean age of 5.4 ± 0.6 years, 57% female. The mean gestational age was 29.2 ± 1.9 weeks, the proportion of FGR was 20% and of SGA 20%. At 5-6 years old, 20% presented an increased BMI, 60% an increased BP, and 17% an increased BMI and BP. BMI at 5-6 years was higher in females (U = 33,000; p = 0.02) and had an inverse correlation with birth weight percentile (r = 0.382; p = 0.04) and a positive correlation with BMI percentile at discharge from neonatology (r = 0.414; p = 0.02). No significant correlations for BP were found. In a population at risk, it is essential to promote cardiovascular health, allowing early interventions and prevention.