Abstract
Objective Urotensin II (U-II) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide, and increased U-II levels
are associated with atherosclerosis and hypertension in adults. Low birth weight (LBW)
infants have higher risks of such diseases in the future. A small number of nephrons
is one of possible mechanism underlying these risks in LBW infants, while vascular
elasticity and cardiac function might be another important factor. The objective of
this study is to evaluate U-II levels in preterm LBW infants at an early stage of
life and determine perinatal factors associated with U-II levels.
Study Design The study population consisted of 57 preterm LBW infants (26 males and 31 females),
including 49 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and 8 small for gestational age
(SGA) infants, born at a gestational age of ≤34 weeks with a mean birth weight of
1,589 g. Serum U-II levels were measured at term-equivalent age to evaluate perinatal
factors related to serum U-II levels.
Results Preterm SGA infants had significantly higher serum U-II levels than preterm AGA infants
at term-equivalent age (p = 0.019). Serum U-II levels in preterm LBW infants at term-equivalent age were inversely
correlated with birth weight standard deviation (SD) score in a simple regression
analysis (r = − 0.395, p = 0,002) and the correlation was maintained in the multiple regression analysis.
Conclusion Our results indicate that birth weight SD score might be associated with serum U-II
levels in preterm LBW infants at term-equivalent age. Further studies are required
to determine whether U-II levels at an early stage of life might influence the risk
of atherosclerosis and hypertension.
Key Points
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U-II is a potent vasoconstrictor.
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We evaluated serum U-II levels in preterm infants.
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Fetal growth is negatively related to serum U-II levels.
Keywords
atherosclerosis - birth weight SD score - hypertension - low birth weight infants
- preterm infants - small for gestational age - urotensin II
