Research summary
Thanks to advances over the last few decades, the vast majority of infants born before 37 weeks of pregnancy-and even those who are under 32 weeks-now survive. But as the first generations of these children are entering adulthood, studies are revealing something unexpected: they are at higher risk for cardiac diseases.
Dr. Anne Monique Nuyt, Canada Research Chair in Prematurity and Developmental Origins of Cardiovascular Health and Diseases, is exploring the key issues we need to understand in order to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases in adults who were born preterm. She and her research team are looking at why these health issues develop, how they can be detected early to prevent diseases, and ultimately, what the best treatment is for cardiac disease after preterm birth.