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White blood cell count is related to arterial pressure and cholesterolemia in normal children

V Capuano1, A Bambacaro, T Darminio

  • 1Division of Cardiology-ICCU, Hospital Mercata S. Severino ASL 2, SA, Genoa, Italy. capuanov@tiscalinet.it

Italian Heart Journal : Official Journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology
|October 23, 2001
PubMed

Insights

White blood cell (WBC) count in children is linked to cholesterol, blood pressure, and platelet count. Further research is needed to understand the long-term cardiovascular risk implications in this age group.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Cardiovascular Risk Factors
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Epidemiological studies indicate a link between white blood cell (WBC) count and cardiovascular risk factors in adults.
  • The relationship between WBC count and atherogenic risk patterns in children has not been previously investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between WBC count and atherogenic risk factors in a pediatric cohort.
  • To determine if WBC count is a potential early indicator of cardiovascular risk in children.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 1,171 children (mean age 10.8 years) from southern Italy participated in the study.
  • Data collection was part of a routine scholastic medicine screening program.

Main Results:

  • WBC count showed significant associations with cholesterolemia (p < 0.03), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.03), and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.02).
  • A significant positive association was found between WBC count and platelet count (p < 0.01).
  • Multivariate regression confirmed independent associations of WBC count with platelet number, cholesterol levels, and diastolic pressure.

Conclusions:

  • A correlation between WBC count and atherogenic risk factors exists even in children.
  • The clinical significance and long-term cardiovascular implications of this association in children require further investigation.
  • It is premature to classify 11-year-old children as at increased cardiovascular risk based solely on these findings; follow-up studies are recommended.
Abstract

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