Fetal growth and preterm birth influence cardiovascular risk factors and arterial health in young adults: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.
Impaired fetal growth is associated with cardiovascular disease in adulthood. The mechanisms of this association remain poorly described. We aimed to determine the associations of impaired fetal growth and preterm birth with cardiovascular risk factors and arterial health in a large cohort of young adults.
Carotid intima-media thickness, brachial flow-mediated dilatation and cardiovascular risk factors were compared between young adults (24-45 years) born at term with impaired fetal growth (birth weight