Elevated plasma homocysteine in obese schoolchildren with early atherosclerosis

Elevated plasma homocysteine is widely seen as an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease in adults. In order to investigate the role of homocysteine in a paediatric population at risk for early atheroclerosis, we studied plasma homocysteine in obese schoolchildren and non-obese peers. Plasma homocysteine, serum vitamin B12 and serum folic acid were determined in 41 obese and 27 control subjects and related to carotid intima-media thickness and flow-mediated dilatation measured on high-resolution ultrasonography. Homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid were all significantly elevated in obese children. In girls, plasma homocysteine correlated significantly with body mass index (r=0.56, p=0.002), increased ICA intima-media thickness (r=0.39, p=0.035) and flow-mediated dilatation (r=-0.40, p=0.031). In boys, none of these associations reached significance (all p>0.234). No independent association of homocysteine with IMT and FMD was seen after adjustment for BMI.

Plasma homocysteine is elevated in obese schoolchildren with hypertension and dyslipidaemia, particularly in girls. This may indicate a high-risk constellation, so that plasma homocysteine should be monitored in these children.