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Published on: December 2, 2014
Racial Differences in Aortic Stiffness in Children
Wesley K Lefferts1, Jacqueline A Augustine1, Nicole L Spartano1
1Department of Exercise Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.
Insights
Racial disparities in aortic stiffness and vascular markers of cardiovascular disease are evident in children. These differences in subclinical cardiovascular disease appear earlier than previously understood.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric cardiovascular health
- Racial disparities in health outcomes
- Vascular biology in children
Background:
- Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk factors can manifest in childhood.
- Understanding racial differences in early markers of ASCVD is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Subclinical markers of vascular health in children require further investigation across diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate racial differences in central blood pressure and vascular structure/function.
- To identify subclinical markers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in children.
- To explore early indicators of cardiovascular risk in African American versus white children.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 54 African American and 54 white children (ages 10-11).
- Vascular assessment included carotid intima-media thickness (ultrasonography) and aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity).
- Central blood pressure was measured using applanation tonometry.
Main Results:
- African American children exhibited significantly higher aortic stiffness (pulse wave velocity) compared to white children, persisting after adjustments.
- African American children showed higher intima-media thickness and carotid systolic blood pressure, though these differences diminished after height adjustment.
- These findings indicate early racial differences in vascular properties among children.
Conclusions:
- Significant racial differences in aortic stiffness are present in childhood.
- Subclinical cardiovascular disease markers emerge earlier in childhood than previously recognized.
- Early identification of racial disparities in vascular health is essential for pediatric cardiovascular disease prevention.
Objective:
To investigate racial differences in central blood pressure and vascular structure/function as subclinical markers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in children.
Study Design:
This cross-sectional study recruited 54 African American children (18 female, 36 male; age 10.5 ± 0.9 years) and 54 white children (27 female, 26 male; age 10.8 ± 0.9 years) from the Syracuse City community as part of the Environmental Exposures and Child Health Outcomes study. Participants underwent blood lipid and vascular testing on 2 separate days. Carotid artery intima-media thickness and aortic stiffness were measured by ultrasonography and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, respectively. Blood pressure was assessed at the brachial artery and estimated in the carotid artery using applanation tonometry.
Results:
African American children had significantly higher pulse wave velocity (4.8 ± 0.8 m/s) compared with white children (4.2 ± 0.7 m/s; P < .05), which remained significant after adjustment for confounding variables including socioeconomic status. African American children had significantly higher intima-media thickness (African American 0.41 ± 0.06, white 0.39 ± 0.05 mm), and carotid systolic blood pressure (African American 106 ± 11, white 102 ± 8 mm Hg; P < .05) compared with white children, although these racial differences were no longer present after covariate adjustments for height.
Conclusions:
Racial differences in aortic stiffness are present in childhood. Our findings suggest that racial differences in subclinical cardiovascular disease occur earlier than previously recognized.
