Bioimpedence and Arterial Function Monitoring at Birth and in Infants
Bioimpedence and Arterial Function Monitoring at Birth and in Infants
Babies may be born appropriately grown for gestational age (AGA, >10th centile) or small for
 gestational age (SGA, <10th centile). Babies who are SGA and have evidence in utero of
 vascular compromise using antenatal doppler indices are classified as having fetal growth
 restriction (FGR). Babies with FGR are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adult
 life. Increased arterial stiffness and intima-media thickness are thought to mediate this
 risk in adults. It is not known how early in life these changes can be robustly detected. In
 addition, very little is known generally about how babies' hearts and arteries change in
 structure and function over the first year of life, whether affected by SGA or not. This
 study aims to understand if there are differences in cardiac and arterial structure and
 function between babies born AGA or SGA. Within the group of SGA babies, the study team will
 investigate whether FGR and maternal pre-eclampsia influence these measurements. The effects
 gestational age on these parameters will be studied within all groups: half of the babies
 recruited will be <32 weeks gestational age (GA), and half will be ≥32 weeks GA. Study
 participants will have further measurements at 3-6 months of life to assess if cardiac and
 arterial structure and function change in babies over the first year of life. The study team
 will use the Vicorder device to measure arterial stiffness, and assess the feasibility of
 using this device in neonates. The Vicorder will also be used to measure cardiac output. The
 feasibility and validity of this device for this purpose will be investigated (Vicorder is
 not validated for cardiac output measurement in infants). Vicorder cardiac output results
 will be compared to echocardiography and bioimpedence technology (using the NICaS monitor).
 The study team will use ultrasound for arterial structure measurements of the carotid artery
 and aorta.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Healthy term infants (including those with SGA+/-FGR) in the postnatal ward

 -  Term and Preterm infants (including those with SGA+/-FGR) admitted to the neonatal
 unit

 -  Written informed parental consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Antenatal or postnatal diagnosis of complex/life-limiting congenital anomaly or
 genetic condition

 -  Infants with no realistic chance of survival

 -  Infants with fragile skin not permitting use of cuffs for research purposes

 -  Babies whose parents have a limited understanding of English will be excluded in the
 event that communication via NHS translation services is not possible due to clinical
 demands on these services