BackgroundEndothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) ensure vascular integrity
and neovascularization. No studies have investigated EPCs in
preterm-born children beyond infancy.MethodsOne hundred and thirty-six
prepubertal children were enrolled: 63 preterm and 73 born at term
(controls). Circulating CD34(+)/VEGFR-2(+)/CD45(-) and
CD34(+)/VEGFR-2(+)/CD45dim EPCs were measured in preterm-born children
compared to controls. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR),
neck circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP,
respectively), fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile, common carotid
and abdominal aortic intima-media thickness (cIMT and aIMT,
respectively), endothelium-dependent brachial artery flow-mediated
dilation (FMD), and echocardiographic parameters were also
assessed.ResultsCirculating CD34(+)/VEGFR-2(+)/CD45(-) and
CD34(+)/VEGFR-2(+)/CD45dim EPCs were significantly higher in
preterm-born children compared to controls (p<0.001 and p<0.001,
respectively). In total study population and in the preterm-born group,
EPCs were significantly lower in children born to mothers with
gestational diabetes compared to non-diabetic mothers. Prematurity was
associated with higher WHR, neck circumference, SBP, DBP, cIMT, aIMT,
mean pressure, and velocity of pulmonary artery; the peak velocity of
the brachial artery was significantly lower in children born
prematurely. In multiple regression analysis, preterm birth and maternal
gestational diabetes were recognized as independent predictors of
EPCs.ConclusionsCirculating EPCs were increased in prepubertal
preterm-born children in comparison with peers born full-term. Maternal
gestational diabetes was associated with a decrease in
EPCs.ImpactMounting evidence supports the adverse effect of prematurity
on cardiovascular health. However, the underlying mechanisms that could
lead to endothelial dysfunction in preterm-born individuals are not
fully understood.Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) ensure vascular
integrity, normal endothelial function and neovascularization.No studies
have investigated the EPCs counts in peripheral blood beyond infancy in
children born prematurely.Circulating EPCs were significantly higher in
preterm-born prepubertal children compared to controls, thus indicating
that prematurity is possibly associated with endothelial damage.In total
study population and in the preterm-born group, maternal gestational
diabetes was associated with decreased EPCs concentrations.
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