[Carotid intima-media thickness; normal values from 4 years]
Antonio de Arriba Muñoz1, María Mercedes Domínguez Cajal, José Ignacio Labarta Aizpún
1Hospital Universitario Infantil Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, España. adearriba@salud.aragon.es
Nutricion Hospitalaria
|July 30, 2013
Summary
Carotid intima-media thickness in children correlates with age, weight, height, and BMI, indicating its early use for cardiovascular disease risk assessment. This highlights the importance of lifestyle interventions for children and adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Vascular Ultrasound
- Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
Background:
- Ultrasound assessment of the common carotid artery is crucial for cardiovascular disease prevention and risk evaluation.
- Increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is linked to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases in all age groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze auxological data, blood pressure, and carotid intima-media thickness in healthy children.
- To establish correlations between CIMT and anthropometric/hemodynamic parameters in a pediatric cohort.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 202 healthy children aged 4–15 years.
- Measurements included auxological data, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and carotid intima-media thickness via ultrasound.
Main Results:
- No significant sex-based differences in CIMT were observed.
- Positive correlations were found between CIMT and age (r=0.229, p<0.05), weight (r=0.228, p<0.05), height (r=0.265, p<0.01), and BMI (r=0.212, p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- CIMT measurement via ultrasound aids in early identification and monitoring of cardiovascular disease in children and adolescents.
- Promoting healthy lifestyles (diet, exercise) is vital for reducing cardiovascular risk in pediatric populations.
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