Aortic and Pulmonary Artery Stiffness and Cardiac Function in Children at Risk for Obesity

OBJECTIVE: Childhood obesity is associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Being at risk for overweight has been defined as having a body mass index (BMI) between the 85th and 94th percentile for age and sex. In this study, we investigate the aortic and pulmonary artery stiffness and left and right ventricular function in children who are at risk for obesity. METHODS: Fifty-six children who were at risk for obesity (study group) and 40 children with a BMI between the 25th and 74th percentiles (controls) were studied. Fasting blood levels of glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and high sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed in both groups. Left ventricular as well as right ventricular tissue Doppler was evaluated. RESULTS: Aortic stiffness and PAS were significantly increased in children who were at risk for obesity compared with control children (P < 0.001). The children who were at risk for obesity have subclinical left and right ventricular dysfunction (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001 for left and right isovolumetric relaxation time and <0.002 and 0.001 for left and right Tei index). The hs-CRP was significantly higher (P < 0.01) compared to controls. Waist circumference and hs-CRP (P < 0.001) were the main predictors of aortic and PAS. CONCLUSION: Children who were at risk for obesity have increased aortic and PAS, subclinical LV and RV dysfunction. These abnormalities were associated with increased hs-CRP. The data suggest that appropriate strategies for weight control are essential not only for obese children but also for those at risk for overweight.