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. 2018 Jan-Apr;11(1):17-27.
doi: 10.4103/apc.APC_76_17.

Normal reference ranges for cardiac valve cross-sectional areas in preterm infants

Lulu Abushaban  1 , Mariappa Thinakar Vel  2 , Jebaraj Rathinasamy  2 , Prem N Sharma  3
Affiliations

Normal reference ranges for cardiac valve cross-sectional areas in preterm infants

Lulu Abushaban et al. Ann Pediatr Cardiol. 2018 Jan-Apr.

Abstract

Objective: To establish normal reference ranges for cardiac valve crosssectional areas (CSAs) in preterm infants and their correlation with gestational age, body weight, and chronological age.

Materials and methods: In a prospective study, 268 preterm babies fulfilling the criteria for inclusion were examined. Echocardiograms were performed to measure aortic, pulmonary, mitral, and tricuspid valve CSAs on 0-6 day (s) of life and at weekly intervals until they reached 36 weeks. Gestational age was divided into three groups, 24-27, 28-31, and 32-35 weeks, and body weight was divided into five groups, ≤999, 1000-1499, 1500-1999, 2000-2499, and ≥2500 g. Overall group differences were compared for each period of life: 0-6 days and 1-2, 3-4, and ≥5 weeks.

Results: The mean gestational age was 29.8 (±2.38 standard deviation [SD]) weeks, ranging between 24 and 35 weeks, and the mean body weight was 1479 (±413 SD) g, ranging between 588 and 3380 g. All cardiac valve CSAs correlated well with body weight. A significant gradual increase was observed in all valve CSAs with body weight during each period of life. Overall, a progressive and significant increase in all valve CSAs was observed during the first 9 weeks of life.

Conclusions: Cardiac valve CSAs were found to be significantly correlated with body weight. The study also provides reference data, which can be used as a normal reference tool for valve CSAs in preterm infants against gestational age, body weight, and chronological age.

Keywords: Body weight; chronological age; gestational age; preterm infant babies; reference ranges; valve cross-sectional area.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Means ± standard deviation for aortic valve cross sectional area (cm2) for gestational age (weeks) against chronological age
Figure 2
Figure 2
Means ± standard deviation for pulmonary valve cross sectional area (cm2) for gestational age (weeks) against chronological age
Figure 3
Figure 3
Means ± standard deviation for mitral valve cross sectional area (cm2) for gestational age (weeks) against chronological age
Figure 4
Figure 4
Means ± standard deviation for tricuspid valve cross sectional area (cm2) for gestational age (weeks) against chronological age
Figure 5
Figure 5
Means ± standard deviation for aortic valve cross sectional area (cm2) for body weight (g) against chronological age
Figure 6
Figure 6
Means ± standard deviation for pulmonary valve cross sectional area (cm2) for body weight (g) against chronological age
Figure 7
Figure 7
Means ± standard deviation for mitral valve cross sectional area (cm2) for body weight (g) against chronological age
Figure 8
Figure 8
Means ± standard deviation for tricuspid valve cross sectional area (cm2) for body weight (g) against chronological age
Figure 9
Figure 9
Number of echocardiograms for preterm babies by body weight and gestational age
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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