Impaired fetal growth and atheriosclerosis of carotid and peripheral arteries

The authors traced 829 survivors of 2232 babies who were born at a maternity hospital in Sheffield between 1922 and 1926 and who had complete birth records. 181 underwent duplex ultrasonic examination of the extracranial parts of the carotid arteries. Atherosclerosis in the arteries of the lower limb was assessed in 186 people by ankle-brachial-pressure index. The prevalence and severity of carotid atherosclerosis was signficantly greatest in those with the lowest recorded birthweight. The differences were not statistically significant regarding the atherosclerotic disease in the lower limbs.