Myocardial dysfunction in children with intrauterine growth restriction: an echocardiographic study.

Introduction: The prevalence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is about 3-10% of live-born newborns and can be as high as 20% in developing countries. It may result in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases later in life.

Methods: The aim of this study was echocardiographic evaluation, with the use of conventional and tissue Doppler parameters, of cardiac function in children born with IUGR, and comparison with healthy peers born as normally grown foetuses.

Results: In the IUGR group, E wave and E/A ratio were significantly lower compared to the control group. A wave, isovolumetric relaxation time, deceleration time, myocardial performance index as well as E/E' septal and E/E' lateral indices were significantly higher compared to healthy peers.

Conclusion: Children with IUGR presented with subclinical myocardial dysfunction.