Early birth or preterm birth is a significant health issue that affects millions of infants worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), preterm birth is defined as babies born alive before 37 completed weeks of gestation.

It is estimated that around 15 million babies are born prematurely every year, and this number is increasing.

Preterm birth is associated with various health problems, including respiratory distress syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and vision and hearing impairments.

In addition, recent studies have shown that premature birth is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases later in life.

The Link Between Early Birth and Heart Disease

The link between preterm birth and heart disease is still a matter of debate.

However, several studies have shown that preterm-born individuals have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, stroke, and heart attack, later in life.

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics in 2021 analyzed data from more than 1.9 million Swedish men, which showed that men born preterm had a higher risk of developing hypertension in their 30s and 40s than those born full-term.

Another study published in the European Heart Journal in 2019 analyzed data from over 2 million individuals in Denmark, which showed that preterm-born individuals had a higher risk of developing ischemic heart disease later in life than those born full-term.

One potential explanation for the link between early birth and heart disease is the “fetal origins” hypothesis, which suggests that adverse events during fetal development can have long-term effects on health and disease risk.

Preterm birth can be considered an adverse event that potentially exposes the developing fetus to various environmental factors that could affect cardiovascular development, leading to increased disease risk.

Possible Mechanisms of Action

The mechanisms underlying the link between early birth and heart disease are not fully understood.

However, several hypotheses have been proposed, including altered structural and functional development of the heart and blood vessels, impaired hormone and metabolic regulation, and increased inflammation and oxidative stress.

For example, preterm birth is associated with changes in the structure and function of the heart, such as reduced left ventricular mass, altered myocardial structure, and impaired diastolic function.

These changes could affect the heart’s ability to cope with increased workload, leading to cardiovascular damage and dysfunction.

Moreover, preterm-born individuals have been shown to have altered hormone and metabolic regulation, including increased insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, which can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

In addition, preterm birth is associated with increased inflammation and oxidative stress, which can contribute to cardiovascular damage and dysfunction.

Prevention and Early Intervention

Preventing preterm birth remains a challenge, but there are some known risk factors that can be addressed to reduce the likelihood of preterm labor, such as smoking during pregnancy, maternal hypertension or diabetes, and infection.

In addition, early detection and treatment of preterm labor can help prevent premature birth and reduce the risk of associated complications.

Early interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in preterm-born individuals may also be beneficial. For example, lifestyle modifications, such as a healthy diet and physical activity, can help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Moreover, early screening and treatment for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance can help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases later in life.

Conclusion

Preterm birth is a significant health issue that can have long-term effects on health and disease risk. Recent studies have shown that preterm birth is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases later in life.

The mechanisms underlying this link are not fully understood, but altered structural and functional development of the heart and blood vessels, impaired hormone and metabolic regulation, and increased inflammation and oxidative stress may be involved.

Preventing preterm birth and early interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in preterm-born individuals can help reduce the risk of associated complications and improve long-term health outcomes.