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Evaluation of epicardial adipose tissue in children with type 1 diabetes
Gül Trabzon1, Şükrü Güngör2, Şeyma Demiray Güllü3
1Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Medical Faculty Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Hatay, Turkey. gldirekk@gmail.com.
Insights
Children with type 1 diabetes exhibit increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), a visceral fat surrounding the heart. This finding suggests EAT may indicate cardiac risk and poor glycemic control in pediatric type 1 diabetes patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is visceral fat surrounding the heart.
- Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is increasingly recognized to have associations with cardiovascular health.
- The relationship between EAT and T1D in children requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and type 1 diabetes (T1D) in a pediatric cohort.
- To determine if EAT thickness differs between children with T1D and healthy controls.
- To explore the potential of EAT as a biomarker for cardiac risk in pediatric T1D.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study comparing children with T1D and healthy children.
- Measurement of epicardial fat thickness.
- Documentation of HbA1c levels and time to diabetes diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Children with T1D (n=51) had significantly higher EAT values compared to healthy controls (n=69).
- Mean HbA1c in the T1D group was 9.4 ± 0.2, with a mean insulin dose of 0.94 units/kg/day.
- Epicardial fat thickness demonstrated potential as a specific and sensitive indicator in type 1 diabetics.
Conclusions:
- Increased EAT is observed in children with T1D, suggesting a link between EAT and the condition.
- EAT thickness may be associated with glycemic control and serve as a potential indicator of cardiac risks in pediatric T1D.
- Further research is essential to fully understand the complex mechanisms underlying the EAT-T1D relationship and its clinical implications.
Introduction:
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the visceral fat surrounding the heart between the myocardium and visceral pericardium, intersects with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). This review aims to elucidate the intricate association between EAT and childhood T1D.
Materials And Methods:
In this retrospective study, two pediatric groups were involved children with type 1 diabetes, and healthy children. Epicardial fat thickness was measured appropriately, and the study documented HbA1c levels and time to diabetes diagnosis for comprehensive analysis.
Results:
Encompassing 51 children with T1D and 69 healthy controls, revealed that children with type 1 diabetes had a mean HbA1c level of 9.4 ± 0.2, and a mean insulin dose of 0.94 units/kg/day. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) values were significantly higher in the Type 1 DM group. It has been shown that epicardial fat thickness may have a specific and sensitive value in type 1 diabetics.
Discussion:
The increased presence of epicardial fat tissue in children with type 1 diabetes is highlighted, prompting the consideration of various mechanisms. However, the complexity of this relationship underscores the need for further studies to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors. Ongoing research in this area is crucial for advancing our knowledge and potential therapeutic interventions.
Impacts:
Cardiac complications are one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in people with type 1 diabetes. Being able to detect cardiological complications of diabetes at an early stage contributes to morbidity. We found that epicardial fat tissue thickness was thicker in children with type 1 diabetes than in healthy children. Epicardial fat tissue thickness may be associated with poor control in children with type 1 diabetes and maybe a guide in terms of cardiac risks.
