PURPOSE: Intra-uterine growth restriction and preterm birth can lead to cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.
CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: Preterm birth and intra-uterine growth restriction induce long-term changes in organ development such as arterial system and kidney function. Among these changes, the impairment of arterial wall structure or properties occurring in low birth weight babies, as a result of preterm birth and intra-uterine growth restriction, may lead on a long-term to an elevation of arterial pressure and arterial stiffness. These notions are still not completely understood and seem of high importance in regard to the high frequency in preterm birth and intra-uterine growth restriction.
FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: Identifying clinical, paraclinical markers and better understanding a link between adverse perinatal conditions and cardiovascular diseases might improve actions for preventing cardiovascular diseases in adulthood in this population.