Acute infections in children are accompanied by oxidative modification of LDL and decrease of HDL cholesterol, and
Petru Liuba1, Jerker Persson, Jukka Luoma
1Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, Lund University Hospital, Sweden. petru.liuba@pedi.lu.se
Insights
Acute infections in children can lead to changes in blood lipids and carotid artery thickening, suggesting a potential increased risk for atherosclerosis development early in life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Atherosclerosis, a disease of the arteries, has its origins in childhood.
- The role of acute infections in the early development of atherosclerosis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of acute infections on carotid artery wall morphology and lipid profiles in children.
- To explore the potential link between childhood infections and the early stages of atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured using high-resolution ultrasound in 28 children with acute infections and 20 healthy controls.
- Analysis included antibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (anti-oxLDL) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels.
- Measurements were taken during acute illness and three months post-infection.
Main Results:
- Children with acute infections showed increased anti-oxLDL antibodies and decreased HDL-C during illness compared to controls and post-infection.
- A significant thickening of the carotid intima-media was observed three months after the acute infection.
- Antibiotic treatment during acute illness was associated with less carotid thickening.
Conclusions:
- Acute infections in children are linked to increased LDL oxidation and reduced HDL-C.
- These lipid alterations may precede and contribute to carotid artery wall thickening.
- Childhood acute infections might represent an early risk factor for atherosclerosis, necessitating further research.
Background:
Atherosclerosis begins early in life. Infections might contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated whether acute infections in children could alter the carotid wall morphology and the lipid profile.
Methods:
Mean carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured by high-resolution ultrasound in 28 hospitalised children (mean age: 5+/-2 years), who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of acute infections (body temperature, >38 degrees C; C-reactive protein, >15mg/ml, and clinical), and in 20 age- and gender-matched controls. Antibodies against oxidised low-density lipoprotein (anti-oxLDL antibodies), as well as total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were analysed in all children. The infection group was investigated both during the acute illness and 3 months after clinical recovery (post-infection).
Results:
During the acute illness, the infection group had elevated anti-oxLDL antibodies and decreased HDL-C, as compared to those obtained at 3 months and in controls (p<0.05). These changes in the infection group were followed, at 3 months, by thickening of carotid intima-media. Those who received antibiotics during their acute illness had less carotid thickening than those who were not treated with antibiotics (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
Acute infections in children seem to be accompanied by enhanced oxidative modification of LDL and by decrease in HDL-C. These lipid changes may be followed by thickening of carotid artery intima-media. These findings suggest that, in childhood, acute infections could be associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis, and warrant further studies on this topic.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:38Inflammation
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
01:30Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management