[Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings in children with overweight and obesity]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Obesity Medicine

Context:

• Obesity is a growing global health concern in children.
• Childhood obesity is linked to various cardiovascular risk factors.
• Early identification of cardiac implications in pediatric obesity is crucial.

Purpose:

• To investigate cardiac structural and electrical changes in children with overweight or obesity.
• To compare electrocardiographic parameters and left ventricular metrics between obese and healthy children.
• To assess the association between pediatric overweight/obesity and cardiac remodeling and electrical instability.

Summary:

• Children with overweight or obesity exhibited significantly prolonged corrected QT interval (QTc) and increased QT dispersion (QTd) compared to healthy controls.
• Overweight and obese children demonstrated significantly greater left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index.
• These findings indicate cardiac structural and electrical alterations in pediatric obesity.

Impact:

• Pediatric overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias.
• The study highlights the need for specialized cardiac monitoring in obese children, particularly those with severe obesity.
• Early detection and management of cardiac abnormalities in obese youth can mitigate long-term cardiovascular disease risk.