The effect of low birth weight on endothelial dysfunction in young adults: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Aim. To investigate the effect of low birth weight (LBW) on endothelial function, and to determine the role of plasma adiponectin in endothelial dysfunction by conducting flow mediated brachial artery (FMBA) test or vasodilation response (VR) and by measuring plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) in young adults born with LBW.

Methods. In a retrospective cohort study, subjects were randomly selected from the Growth Study Cohort of Tanjungsari in the Sumedang district of West Java. They consisted of 67 LBW and 67 NBW (normalbirth weight) young adults.

Results. The relative risk for LBW to have low brachialis artery vasodilation response was 2.94, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.91–4.53, and to have low plasma adiponectin concentration 1.53, (95% CI: 1.07–2.18). Multivariate analysis via Hotelling’s trace showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) for all variables studied (FMBA, plasma ADMA, and plasma adiponectin concentrations) but simultaneous confidence interval measurements indicated that the value of FMBA and the concentration of plasmaadiponectin were significantly lower, respectively p < 0.001, 95% CI: –4.409–(–2.114), and p = 0.015,95% CI: –1.083–(–0.082) in LBW compared to NBW subjects. The correlation between plasma adiponectin concentration and plasma ADMA concentration (r = –0.16, p = 0.176), and FMBA (r = 0.13, p = 0.281) in LBW subjects were not significant.

Conclusions. There is an effect of LBW on endothelial function. Plasma adiponectin’s action in endothelial dysfunction in young adults with LBW has a potential role which is yet to be defined.