The importance of carotid artery stiffness and increased intimamedia thickness in obese children

Abstract

Background. Atherosclerosis that starts in childhood invariablyadvances during adulthood.Aim. We aimed to study the effect of obesity on main carotidartery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and arterial stiffness.Material and methods. A total of 78 children were studied fromOctober 2010 to February 2011. They were divided into obese (n=42,group 1) and normal (n=36, group 2). All children were subjectedto physical examination, routine biochemical and haematologicalanalysis, carotid ultrasonography and echocardiographicmeasurements. A detailed medical history was obtained. Bodymass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing participants’ weight inkilograms by the square of their height in metres. Stiffness index âwas calculated using blood pressure and diameter of the systolicand diastolic artery. Intima-media thickness was also measured.Results. The mean age of the obese and normal (control) groupswas 10.12±2.12 years and 9.78±1.78 years, respectively. Weight, BMI,and systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were significantlyhigher in the obese group (all p<0.001). In terms of arterial stiffnessand CIMT measurements, all parameters were higher in the obesegroup than the control (p<0.001). There was a relationship betweenthe degree of obesity and CIMT or stiffness index â. In addition,dilatation and hypertrophy levels in the left ventricle were higherin obese children.Conclusions. Obese children with risk factors for multipleatherosclerosis could have increased CIMT dimensions and,consequently, should be screened for these risks. UltrasonographicCIMT and arterial stiffness measurements can detect vasculardamage at an early stage of development in children withcardiovascular risk factors

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