Endothelial Dysfunction in the Young Adult: a Retrospective Cohort Study on the Effect of Low Birth Weight

Abstract

Aim: to investigate the effect of low birth weight (LBW) on endothelial function, and to determine the role of plasma adiponectin in endothelial dysfunction by conducting flow mediated brachial artery (FMBA) test or vasodilation response (VR) and by measuring plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) of young adults born with LBW. Methods: in a retrospective cohort study, subjects were randomly selected from the growth study cohort of Tanjungsari Sumedang district West Java. They consisted of 67 LBW and 67 NBW (Normal Birth Weight) young adults. Dependent variables were plasma adiponectin, plasma ADMA, and VR. The correlation between plasma adiponectin and ADMA level was examined using Pearson’s correlation. Results: the relative risk for LBW to have low brachialis artery vasodilation response was 2.94, (95% CI:1.91- 4.53), and to have low of plasma adiponectin concentration 1.53, (95% CI: 1.07-2.18). There was a statistically significant difference for all variables studied (FMBA, plasma ADMA, and plasma Adiponectin concentrations), while simultaneous confidence interval measurements indicated that the value of FMBA and the concentration of plasma adiponectin were significantly lower, respectively p<0.001, 95% CI: -4.409-(-2.114), and p=0.015, 95% CI: -1.083-(-0.082) in LBW compared to NBW subjects. The correlation between plasma adiponectin concentration and plasma ADMA concentration in LBW subjects was not significant. Conclusion: there is an effect of LBW on endothelial function. LBW compared to NBW subjects have lower VR and plasma adiponectin concentration. There may be a small role of plasma adiponectin in endothelial dysfunction of young adults with LBW.

Key words: low birth weight, adiponectin, ADMA, FMBA test