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Endothelial dysfunction in obese non-hypertensive children without evidence of sleep disordered breathing

Rakesh Bhattacharjee1, Wadha H Alotaibi, Leila Kheirandish-Gozal

  • 1Division of Pediatric Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

BMC Pediatrics
|February 17, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric obesity causes endothelial dysfunction, even without sleep apnea. This early dysfunction in obese children highlights the impact of weight on vascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Endothelial dysfunction is linked to obesity and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
  • OSAS is common in obese children, but the direct impact of obesity on endothelial function without OSAS is unclear.
  • This study investigates endothelial function in obese versus non-obese children, specifically excluding OSAS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if childhood obesity, independent of OSAS, leads to endothelial dysfunction.
  • To assess endothelial function in pre-pubertal children with and without obesity.
  • To explore the relationship between body fat percentage and endothelial function markers.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited pre-pubertal, non-hypertensive children.
  • Assessed endothelial function using a modified hyperemic test with arterial occlusion.
  • Confirmed absence of OSAS via overnight polysomnography and performed anthropometry.

Main Results:

  • Obese children (n=55) showed significantly delayed peak capillary reperfusion compared to non-obese children (n=50).
  • No significant differences were found in the magnitude of hyperemia between groups.
  • A positive correlation was observed between time to peak reperfusion and body fat percentage (r = 0.365, p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Endothelial dysfunction is present in obese children early in life, irrespective of OSAS.
  • Mechanisms causing endothelial dysfunction in pediatric obesity are active even without sleep-disordered breathing.
  • Findings underscore the vascular risks associated with childhood obesity independent of sleep apnea.
Abstract

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