BLOOD-PRESSURE LEVELS AT FOLLOW-UP OF INFANTS WITH AND WITHOUT CHRONIC LUNG-DISEASE

Hypertension at follow-up is a recognized association of chronic lung disease (CLD) in premature infants. The aim of this study was to assess the timing of maximum effect of the presence of CLD on blood pressure levels and the duration of its effect. Eighteen infants with CLD and 36 without CLD were recruited into the study. Measurements of systolic blood pressure were made using a Doppler technique, when the infants attended for routine premature baby follow-up. Comparison of the two groups, blood pressure revealed the infants with CLD had significantly higher blood pressure levels at 2 - 3 months (p < 0.001) and 4 - 5 months (p < 0.05) but not at 6 - 7 or 8 - 9 months. We conclude that differences in blood pressure levels between infants with and without CLD are maximum at 2 - 3 months and that the association of CLD and elevated blood pressure levels is a temporary one.