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Differential effects of adiposity and childhood growth trajectories on retinal microvascular architecture
Robyn J Tapp1, Andrew Ness, Cathy Williams
1International Centre for Circulatory Health, NHLI, St Mary's Hospital & Imperial College London, London, UK; Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Childhood adiposity trajectories are linked to retinal microcirculation diameters. Early adiposity may negatively impact blood vessels, increasing adult cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Early life factors influence long-term health outcomes.
- Microvascular changes can indicate future cardiovascular risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between childhood adiposity trajectories and retinal microcirculatory diameters at age 12.
- To determine if these associations are independent of blood pressure.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the ALSPAC cohort, including retinal images and body mass index (BMI) trajectories from birth to 10 years.
- Analyzed retinal arteriolar and venular diameters in relation to early life (perinatal index - PI) and childhood BMI changes.
- Included children with retinal images from the 12-year clinic visit.
Main Results:
- Lower perinatal index (PI) was associated with narrower retinal arterioles.
- Higher PI and increasing BMI from ages 5-10 years correlated with wider venular diameters.
- Current fat mass also showed an association with wider venular diameters.
Conclusions:
- Retinal arterioles and venules show differential associations with early life and childhood adiposity.
- Early adiposity may negatively affect the microcirculation.
- Findings suggest potential implications for adult cardiovascular risk assessment.
Objectives:
We hypothesized that trajectories of adiposity across childhood would be associated with retinal microcirculatory diameters at age 12 years, independent of BP.
Methods:
The ALSPAC followed a cohort of children born in 1991-1992. The current study includes all children with retinal images acquired at the 12 years clinic and individual trajectories of PI from 0 to 2 years and BMI from 2 to 10 years. Retinal microvascular measures included retinal arteriolar and venular diameters.
Results:
Children in this analysis had a birth weight of 3.5 ± 0.4 kg, a PI of 26.2 ± 2.4 kg/m(3) and a gestational age of 39.7 ± 1.4 weeks (mean ± SD). Analysis of growth trajectories showed that lower PI at birth was associated with narrower retinal arterioles. Higher PI at birth was associated with wider venular diameter, and a stronger positive association was evident between BMI change at 5-5.5 and 8.5-10 years with wider venular diameters. Current fat mass was also associated with wider venular diameters.
Conclusions:
Retinal arterioles and venules are differentially associated with growth in early life and childhood adiposity. Early adiposity may adversely affect the microcirculation, with important implications for cardiovascular risk in adulthood.
