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Endothelial dysfunction in children without hypertension: potential contributions of obesity and obstructive sleep

Rakesh Bhattacharjee1, Jinkwan Kim2, Wadha H Alotaibi3

  • 1Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Pritzker School of Medicine, Comer Children's Hospital, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL; Division of Pediatric Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Pritzker School of Medicine, Comer Children's Hospital, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL; Division of Pediatric Sleep Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY.

Chest
|October 28, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children independently increase endothelial dysfunction risk. Their combined presence significantly elevates this risk, with myeloid-related protein 8/14 (MRP8/14) potentially indicating inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Endothelial dysfunction is linked to childhood obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
  • The interaction between OSA and obesity in pediatric endothelial dysfunction is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the combined effects of obesity and OSA on endothelial function in children.
  • To explore the association between myeloid-related protein 8/14 (MRP8/14) and endothelial dysfunction in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited prepubertal, nonhypertensive children.
  • Assessed endothelial function via modified hyperemic test and measured serum MRP8/14 levels.
  • Diagnosed OSA using overnight polysomnography and categorized children as obese (OB) or nonobese (NOB).

Main Results:

  • Children with both OSA and obesity showed the highest prevalence of endothelial dysfunction (62.5%).
  • Endothelial dysfunction was also observed in obese children without OSA (38.7%) and nonobese children with OSA (20.0%).
  • No endothelial dysfunction was found in nonobese children without OSA (0.0%).
  • Endothelial dysfunction severity correlated with elevated MRP8/14 levels (r = 0.343, P < .001).

Conclusions:

  • Obesity and OSA are independent risk factors for endothelial dysfunction in children.
  • The concurrent presence of obesity and OSA significantly amplifies the risk of endothelial dysfunction.
  • MRP8/14 may serve as a biomarker for inflammation-related endothelial dysfunction in children.
Abstract

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