BACKGROUND: Normal pregnancy is characterized by a decrease in peripheral resistance and generalized vasodilation resulting in plasma volume expansion, which is associated with intrauterine growth. Stiffness of the arterial system may be a measure of the degree of plasma volume expansion. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), measured by applanation tonometry, is a validated approach to determine arterial stiffness. Pulse pressure (PP) is considered a surrogate measure for arterial stiffness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between arterial stiffness and fetal growth. METHODS: In 50 normotensive pregnancies, carotid-femoral PWV was measured in the third trimester in 30 degrees lateral position. Blood pressure measurements were performed with conventional auscultatory sphygmomanometry. Birth weight centiles and weight centiles at the age of 6 months were recorded. Linear regression models were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship in PWV with both birth weight centiles and catch-up growth after birth, independent of mean arterial pressure (MAP). An increase of 1 m/sec in PWV was associated with a decrease in birth weight centiles by 17.6% and a catch-up of 22.3% in weight centiles after birth. A stronger association was found for pulse pressure and birth weight centiles. An increase of 1 mm Hg was associated with a decrease in birth weight centiles by 1.8%. There was no association between MAP and birth weight centiles. CONCLUSIONS: In normotensive pregnancy arterial stiffness is associated with birth weight centile and catch-up growth after birth, independently from MAP. This suggests that arterial stiffness reflects maternal vascular adaptation to pregnancy better than blood pressure.
BACKGROUND: Normal pregnancy is characterized by a decrease in peripheral resistance and generalized vasodilation resulting in plasma volume expansion, which is associated with intrauterine growth. Stiffness of the arterial system may be a measure of the degree of plasma volume expansion. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), measured by applanation tonometry, is a validated approach to determine arterial stiffness. Pulse pressure (PP) is considered a surrogate measure for arterial stiffness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between arterial stiffness and fetal growth. METHODS: In 50 normotensive pregnancies, carotid-femoral PWV was measured in the third trimester in 30 degrees lateral position. Blood pressure measurements were performed with conventional auscultatory sphygmomanometry. Birth weight centiles and weight centiles at the age of 6 months were recorded. Linear regression models were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship in PWV with both birth weight centiles and catch-up growth after birth, independent of mean arterial pressure (MAP). An increase of 1 m/sec in PWV was associated with a decrease in birth weight centiles by 17.6% and a catch-up of 22.3% in weight centiles after birth. A stronger association was found for pulse pressure and birth weight centiles. An increase of 1 mm Hg was associated with a decrease in birth weight centiles by 1.8%. There was no association between MAP and birth weight centiles. CONCLUSIONS: In normotensive pregnancy arterial stiffness is associated with birth weight centile and catch-up growth after birth, independently from MAP. This suggests that arterial stiffness reflects maternal vascular adaptation to pregnancy better than blood pressure.
Authors: Emily W Harville; Markus Juonala; Jorma S A Viikari; Mika Kähönen; Olli T Raitakari Journal: Hypertens Pregnancy Date: 2016-11-18 Impact factor: 2.108
Authors: Lucile Broséus; Daniel Vaiman; Jörg Tost; Camino Ruano San Martin; Milan Jacobi; Joel D Schwartz; Rémi Béranger; Rémy Slama; Barbara Heude; Johanna Lepeule Journal: BMC Med Date: 2022-10-20 Impact factor: 11.150
Authors: Wai-Yee Lim; Yung-Seng Lee; Chuen-Seng Tan; Kenneth Kwek; Yap-Seng Chong; Peter D Gluckman; Keith M Godfrey; Seang-Mei Saw; An Pan Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2014-12-02 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Ang Zhou; Gustaaf A Dekker; Eugenie R Lumbers; Shalem Y Leemaqz; Steven D Thompson; Gary Heinemann; Lesley M E McCowan; Claire T Roberts Journal: Mol Hum Reprod Date: 2013-04-23 Impact factor: 4.025
Authors: Doris González-Fernández; Emérita Del Carmen Pons; Delfina Rueda; Odalis Teresa Sinisterra; Enrique Murillo; Marilyn E Scott; Kristine G Koski Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2020-03-24
Authors: A R Anness; A Clark; K Melhuish; F M T Leone; M W Osman; D Webb; T Robinson; N Walkinshaw; A Khalil; H A Mousa Journal: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol Date: 2022-08 Impact factor: 8.678