Key result
Higher infant peak weight velocity linked to ~0.1-SD greater carotid intima-media thickness at age 10.
Why the study?
Associations of obesity with cardiovascular disease may originate in childhood, prompting examination of critical periods for BMI in relation to arterial health at school age.
Are infant weight growth patterns and childhood BMI associated with adverse changes in carotid intima-media thickness and distensibility at age 10 years?
Cohort (n=4,731)
No
Are infant weight growth patterns and childhood BMI associated with adverse changes in carotid intima-media thickness and distensibility at age 10 years?
Standardized Mean Difference: 0.1 (95% CI 0.06–0.13)
Higher infant peak weight velocity and childhood BMI are associated with early subclinical adverse changes in arterial health, specifically increased carotid intima-media thickness and reduced distensibility by age 10.
Supports monitoring rapid infant weight gain; extends observational links to subclinical carotid changes but leaves causal inference and interventions open.
OBJECTIVE: Associations of obesity with cardiovascular disease may originate in childhood. This study examined critical periods for BMI in relation to arterial health at school age. METHODS: Among 4,731 children from a prospective cohort study, associations of infant peak weight velocity, both age and BMI at adiposity peak, and BMI trajectories with carotid artery intima-media thickness and carotid artery distensibility at 10 years were examined. RESULTS: A 1-standard deviation score (SDS) higher peak weight velocity and BMI at adiposity peak were associated with higher intima-media thickness (0.10 SDS; 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.13 and 0.08 SDS; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.12) and lower distensibility (-0.07 SDS; 95% CI: -0.10 to -0.03 and -0.07 SDS; 95% CI: -0.11 to -0.03) at 10 years. For distensibility, current BMI explained these associations. Children within the highest BMI tertile at ages 2 and 10 years had the lowest distensibility (p < 0.05), but similar intima-media thickness, compared with children constantly within the middle tertile. CONCLUSIONS: Infant weight growth patterns and childhood BMI are associated with subtle differences in carotid intima-media thickness and carotid distensibility at school age. For distensibility, current BMI seems critical. Follow-up is needed to determine whether these associations lead to adult cardiovascular disease.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Monasso et al. (2022) conducted a cohort in Healthy children (n=4,731). Infant peak weight velocity vs. Lower peak weight velocity was evaluated on Carotid artery intima-media thickness at 10 years (0.10 SDS increase per 1 SDS higher peak weight velocity, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.13). A 1-standard deviation score higher infant peak weight velocity was associated with a 0.10 SDS higher carotid intima-media thickness and a -0.07 SDS lower carotid distensibility at 10 years of age.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: