Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
Published on: February 7, 2015
Carotid artery intima-media thickness values in obese or overweight children: a meta-analysis
Jean-Baptiste Moretti1,2, Alexandre Korban3, Émilie Alchourron1,2
1University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Insights
Children with overweight or obesity show increased carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), a marker of early atherosclerosis. This meta-analysis confirms significantly higher IMT in obese children compared to normal-weight peers using ultrasound techniques.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Vascular Ultrasound
- Public Health
Background:
- Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) serves as a non-invasive ultrasound indicator of early atherosclerosis.
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern with potential long-term cardiovascular implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze published data on IMT differences in children with overweight or obesity compared to normal-weight controls.
- To assess the impact of overweight and obesity on IMT in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
- Inclusion of cohort studies with normal weight controls and IMT measurements via B-mode or radiofrequency (RF) echo-tracking techniques.
- Utilized World Health Organization growth standard definitions for childhood obesity and searched major scientific databases from inception to February 2024.
Main Results:
- Analysis of 15 B-mode and 2 RF echo-tracking studies revealed significantly increased IMT in children with overweight/obesity.
- Mean IMT was higher by 0.041 mm (95% CI: 0.031–0.052) using B-mode and 0.045 mm (95% CI: 0.029–0.062) using RF techniques.
Conclusions:
- This meta-analysis demonstrates a significant increase in carotid artery intima-media thickness in children living with obesity compared to normal-weight children.
- Findings underscore the utility of IMT as a biomarker for subclinical atherosclerosis in pediatric obesity, irrespective of measurement technique.
Objective:
Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) is a non-invasive ultrasound marker of early atherosclerosis. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to report the published differences in IMT values in children living with overweight or obesity compared to controls with normal weight.
Methods:
This review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, including only cohorts with normal controls. Inclusion criteria were IMT measured using B-mode or radiofrequency (RF) techniques and based on the four consensuses: American Heart Association, Association for European Pediatric Cardiology, Mannheim Consensus, and American Society of Echocardiography. We used the body mass index based on the World Health Organization growth standard definitions of obesity in children. Relevant articles were extracted from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science searched from inception to February 2024. A meta-analysis was done by a biostatistician using the R-software version 4.0.2.
Results:
We obtained 15 B-mode-based and two RF echo-tracking-based IMT measurement studies. IMT is significantly increased in children living with obesity. The mean IMT was 0.041 mm, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.052; 0.031 higher in children with overweight/obesity, using the B-mode technique, and 0.045 mm, 95% CI: 0.062; 0.029 higher in children with overweight/obesity using RF technique.
Conclusion:
This meta-analysis shows that IMT is significantly increased in children with obesity compared to normal-weight children according to both techniques.
Key Points:
Question IMT measured according to known consensuses is significantly increased in children living with obesity. Findings Mean IMT was 0.041 mm higher in children living with obesity using the B-mode technique and 0.045 mm using the RF technique. Clinical relevance There are different techniques to measure IMT in children. This meta-analysis, using cohorts of children living with obesity compared to normal weight controls, shows a significantly increased IMT in children living with obesity.
More Related Videos
06:04Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Published on: September 27, 2024
03:35Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: December 1, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management