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Uric acid, carotid intima-media thickness and body composition in prepubertal children

J Bassols1,2, J M Martínez-Calcerrada3,4, A Prats-Puig3,5

  • 1Pediatrics Research Group, Girona Institute for Biomedical Research, Girona, Spain. jbassols@idibgi.org.

Pediatric Obesity
|October 24, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Serum uric acid is linked to carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in children. Higher body mass index (BMI) and abdominal fat worsen this cardiovascular risk in prepubertal children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

  • Elevated uric acid is a known cardiovascular disease biomarker in obese adolescents and adults.
  • The relationship between uric acid and early atherosclerosis markers in children requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between serum uric acid and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in prepubertal children.
  • To determine if body mass index (BMI) and preperitoneal fat modulate the uric acid-cIMT relationship.

Main Methods:

  • 359 asymptomatic prepubertal children were assessed for uric acid, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), C-reactive protein (CRP), triacylglycerol (TG), blood pressure, and cIMT.
  • Participants were stratified by BMI and preperitoneal fat levels.

Main Results:

  • Serum uric acid correlated significantly with cardiovascular risk factors including HOMA-IR, CRP, TG, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, and cIMT.
  • Significant interactions between BMI, preperitoneal fat, and uric acid were observed regarding cIMT.
  • Uric acid was more strongly associated with cIMT in children with higher BMI and greater preperitoneal fat.

Conclusions:

  • Serum uric acid is associated with cIMT in asymptomatic prepubertal children.
  • Increased BMI and preperitoneal fat exacerbate the atherosclerotic disease risk posed by elevated uric acid concentrations.
Abstract

Keywords:
Body fat distributioncarotid intima-media thicknessobesityuric acid

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