A study published in JAMA Paediatrics showed that having a premature or large-for-gestational-age birth increases the chance of getting atrial fibrillation later in life among children. Until age 18, being small for gestational age at delivery was only associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation, the most prevalent kind of heart arrhythmia, raises the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. It primarily affects middle-aged and older people. According to the National Board of Health and Welfare, 5% of Swedish births occur before week 37. The estimated incidence in children is minimal, ranging from 0.12 to 0.16 percent.

Researchers are investigating the risk of atrial fibrillation with preterm delivery and fetal development. According to them, persons born preterm or big for gestational age had a slightly increased chance of developing atrial fibrillation up to middle age than those with comparable normal birth outcomes. Individuals’ short for gestational age at birth had a higher risk of atrial fibrillation until 18, but not beyond that.

Persons born preterm had a 30% risk increase; persons born large for gestational age had a 55% risk increase, and individuals born both preterm and large for gestational age had a 71% risk increase.

The studys findings were based on statistical analyses of more than eight million births from Danish (1978-2016), Finnish (1987-2014), and Swedish (1973-2014) medical birth registries who were tracked for incident atrial fibrillation in national patient and cause of death registries up to 2021. The findings were matched to siblings from the same households. Because the research was observational, no causal links could be established.

Researchers stated that future studies were necessary to understand the relationship between preterm delivery, fetal development, and the risk of atrial fibrillation in old life.

(Source:  https://theprint.in/health/study-sheds-more-light-on-risk-for-atrial-fibrillation-in-children-young-adults/1539216/)