#SELFIE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study From Early Life with Follow-up Into Early adulthood (#SELFIE)
IRAS ID
281867
Contact name
Adam Lewandowski
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 7 months, 30 days
Research summary
Preterm-born young adults have alterations in cardiac structure and function. Previous investigations showed reduced cardiac function in these individuals during moderate and high-intensity exercise, and that this reduced cardiac functional response predicts maximum exercise capacity and recovery. We will use echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance in preterm-born individuals to determine: (1) cardiac pump function and how it relates to cardiac structure and energy metabolism; and (2) whether the previously identified reduced exercise response in moderately preterm-born young adults is worse in those born at earlier gestational ages. This data will be used to better understand the relevance of cardiac remodelling in preterm-born adults, and provide a more comprehensive cardiac profile.
Summary of results
Preterm-born adults (born less than 37 weeks’ gestation) aged 25-40 years of age were recruited to attend a study visit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford (within the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility, CCRF, and Oxford Centre for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Research, OCMR). A total of 64 preterm-born adults attended the study visits, which first included measures in CCRF of their height and weight, questionnaires about their lifestyle and medical history, ultrasound imaging of their heart, tests of how well their lungs are working, and their ability and level of maximum exercise performance and recovery. After a 30-minute period of recovery, they went to OCMR where they have MRI scans of their heart while at rest and during exercise. A comparison group of 36 term-born adults (born between 39-42 weeks’ gestation) were recruited and underwent the same study visit protocol. The results showed that preterm-born adults have a lower exercise capacity and have a different heart structure and function at rest. They also had an impaired heart function response to exercise, along with a lower ability of the heart muscle to use energy efficiently. The results suggest these findings may be interlinked. In summary, the study has provided novel results that add to the growing body of research related to the long-term consequences on the heart of being born preterm.REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/1125
Date of REC Opinion
12 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion