Comparison of Tp-e Interval Between Obese and Healthy Children in Adolescence and its Correlation with Insulin Resistance in Obese Children

Background: Prolonged cardiac repolarization may increase cardiovascular susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias, leading to sudden cardiac death. This condition in obese children is not clearly demonstrated in childhood. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of obesity on cardiac electrical activity in children by comparing Tp-e intervals between obese and healthy children and evaluating the correlation between Tp-e intervals and insulin resistance in obese children. Methods: The study enrolled 50 obese and 50 healthy children. A pediatric cardiologist assessed electrocardiograms and echocardiographs. Electrocardiographic, demographic, and laboratory parameters were analyzed statistically. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in age and gender (P > 0.05). The Tp-e intervals were statistically higher in the obese group than in the control group (P = 0.001). A statistically significant difference was found between the obese group with or without insulin resistance and the control group in Tp-e intervals (P = 0.001 for all). All other ECG parameters were similar in the patient and control groups. Conclusions: It is essential to recognize the early symptoms of future cardiovascular events in childhood obesity cases. Repolarization differences in obese children, when compared with the normal population, may reflect obesity-related early-stage subclinical findings. Prospective broad-based studies are needed to recognize these early changes.