Preterm birth, vascular function, and risk factors for atherosclerosis

Low birthweight may predispose to the development of atherosclerosis later In life. We have tested the hypothesis that low birthweight as a result of preterm birth Is associated with reduced flow-mediated endothelial-dependent vasodilation (FMD), which Is an early stage In the development of atherosclerosis. Mean FMD In adolescents born preterm who had a low birthweight did not differ from that for controls born at term (0.225 mm vs 0.220 mm, SD 0.1 for both means, p = 0.78). Our findings indicate that low birthweight attributable to prematurity does not Increase the risk of vascular disease later in life.