EXCELSIOR - Exercise in Prematurely Born Preadolescents to Mitigate Cardiovascular Risk and Improve Cognitive Function

Premature birth, defined as the delivery of babies before the 37th week of pregnancy, presents an increasing challenge. Since the 1980s, medical advances such as specialized medication and ventilation techniques have significantly improved the survival rates of premature infants. Globally, approximately 11% of all births are premature, with Switzerland reporting about 5700 premature newborns each year.

Prematurity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Research indicates that very premature babies face a notably higher risk of heart problems. These infants often exhibit different heart shapes and functions, along with elevated blood pressure, beginning in infancy and potentially persisting into adulthood. This is partly because their blood vessels tend to be less elastic.

In addition to cardiovascular issues, premature babies frequently encounter challenges with certain cognitive tasks. Traditionally, the cardiovascular and brain functions of premature infants have been studied separately, despite the known close link between these systems in adults. Therefore, the EXCELSIOR study is exploring the impact of exercise on the small blood vessels in the eye, which can be examined through retinal vessel imaging. The objective is to determine if positive changes in these blood vessels correlate with improved cognitive performance.