Intima-Media Thickness and Flow-Mediated Dilatation in the Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults

Abstract

Although young adults born at VLBWs, compared with those born at term, have higher levels of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, we found no clear evidence for elevated early markers of atherosclerosis. However, in relation to artery lumen diameter, IMT in the participants who had a VLBW was higher than in those who were born at term. In our study, weight gain during the first postnatal weeks had no harmful effect on the arteries in young adulthood.