Adults who were born preterm with a very low birth weight have higher blood pressure and impaired glucose regulation later in life compared with those born at term. We investigated cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults who were born at any degree of prematurity in the Preterm Birth and Early Life Programming of Adult Health and Disease (ESTER) Study, a population-based cohort study of individuals born in 1985–1989 in Northern Finland. In 2009–2011, 3 groups underwent clinical examination: 134 participants born at less than 34 gestational weeks (early preterm), 242 born at 34–36 weeks (late preterm), and 344 born at 37 weeks or later (controls). Compared with controls, adults who were born preterm had higher body fat percentages (after adjustment for sex, age, and cohort (1985–1986 or 1987–1989), for those born early preterm, difference = 6.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.4, 13.2; for those born late preterm, difference = 8.0%, 95% CI: 2.4, 13.8), waist circumferences, blood pressure (for those born early preterm, difference = 3.0 mm Hg, 95% CI: 0.9, 5.1; for those born late preterm, difference = 1.7, 95% CI: −0.1, 3.4), plasma uric acid levels (for those born early preterm, difference = 20.1%, 95% CI: 7.9, 32.3; for those born late preterm, difference = 20.2%, 95% CI: 10.7, 30.5), alanine aminotransferase levels, and aspartate transaminase levels. They were also more likely to have metabolic syndrome (for those born early preterm, odds ratio = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.6, 8.2; for those born late preterm, odds ratio = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2, 5.3). Elevated levels of conventional and emerging risk factors suggest a higher risk of cardiometabolic disease later in life. These risk factors are also present in the large group of adults born late preterm.

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Adolescents and adults born early preterm have higher blood pressure and altered glucose metabolism compared with their term born peers. Evidence of an atherogenic lipid profile is inconsistent. Whether these risks apply to those born less preterm is not known. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:In adolescence, girls have higher blood pressure and boys a more atherogenic lipid profile than their term born peers. Overall, our results are consistent with a dose-response relationship between shorter length of gestation and increasing levels of cardiovascular risk factors. abstract BACKGROUND: Adolescents and adults born as small preterm infants show more pronounced risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Whether similar risks apply across all degrees of preterm birth is poorly known. METHODS:We studied the association between preterm birth and cardiovascular risk factors in 6642 16-year-old adolescents of the populationbased Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986. Of these, 79 (1.2%) were born at ,34 gestational weeks (early preterm), 238 (3.6%) at 34 to 36 weeks (late preterm), and 6325 at term (controls).RESULTS: Girls born early preterm had 6.7 mm Hg (95% confidence interval: 3.1-10.2) higher systolic blood pressure (BP) and 3.5 mm Hg (1.1-5.8) higher diastolic BP, but no difference in serum lipid levels compared with control girls. Boys showed no differences in BP, but boys born early preterm had 6.7% (0.2%-13.7%) higher total cholesterol, 11.7% (2.1%-22.3%) higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and 12.3% (3.1%-22.4%) higher apolipoprotein B concentrations. The differences were similar (BP) or stronger (lipids) when adjusted for maternal smoking, birth weight SD score, parental education, pubertal stage, BMI, and lifestyle. There were similar associations with length of gestation as a continuous variable. Accordingly, mean differences between late preterm and controls were in the same direction but weaker, although most were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS:Preterm birth was associated with elevated BP in adolescent girls and an atherogenic lipid profile in boys. Because these associations were strongest among those born early preterm, our findings are consistent with a dose-response relationship between shorter length of gestation and cardiovascular risk factors. Dr Sipola-Leppänen carried out initial analyses and drafted the initial manuscript; Drs Vääräsmäki and Kajantie carried out initial analyses, reviewed and revised the manuscript, and supervised the writing process; Drs Tikanmäki, Hovi, and Miettola reviewed and revised the manuscript; Drs Ruokonen, Pouta, and Järvelin coordinated and supervised data collection and critically reviewed the manuscript; and all authors approved the final manuscript as submitted.www.pediatrics.org/cgi

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lung function attained in young adulthood is 1 of the strongest predictors of obstructive airways disease in later life. Adults born preterm at very low birth weight (VLBW; ,1500 g) who have experienced bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) have reduced lung function. We studied the association of lung function in young adulthood with preterm birth at VLBW and with BPD and other prenatal and neonatal conditions. METHODS:We performed spirometry for 160 VLBW subjects (29 with BPD according to Northway criteria) aged 18 to 27 years and 162 term control subjects group-matched for gender, age, and birth hospital. Lung function was expressed as z scores according to the Global Lung Function Initiative standards.RESULTS: Forced expiratory volume in 1 second z score was 1.41 units (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.89 to 1.94) lower in BPD-VLBW subjects and 0.39 units (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.69) in non-BPD VLBW subjects compared with control subjects. Corresponding differences for forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity were 1.52 (95% CI: 0.99 to 2.05) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.21 to 0.81), respectively. Maternal smoking in pregnancy predicted poorer airflow in all groups; this finding was strongest in the BPD-VLBW group. Lung function was unrelated to fetal or postnatal growth or to neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and GDM are associated with unhealthy body size and composition in offspring over 20 years later. Effects of maternal pre-pregnancy overweight appear more pronounced.