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Published on: February 7, 2015
Influence of Dietary Intake on Carotid Maximum Intima-Media Thickness in Children Conceived Through Assisted
Blanca Barrau-Martinez1,2, Mireia Termes-Escalé1, Brenda Valenzuela-Alcaraz3
1Departament de Nutrició, Ciències de l'Alimentació i Gastronomia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Campus de l'Alimentació de Torribera, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain.
Insights
Children conceived via assisted reproductive technology (ART) show thicker blood vessels and distinct dietary patterns, including higher protein and saturated fat intake. Tailored nutrition may mitigate cardiovascular risks in ART-conceived children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric cardiology
- Nutritional science
- Reproductive medicine
Background:
- Limited research exists on the nutritional impact on cardiovascular remodeling in children conceived via assisted reproductive technology (ART).
- Cardiovascular health in ART-conceived children requires further investigation, particularly concerning postnatal development.
- Vascular wall thickness is a key indicator of cardiovascular risk in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of postnatal nutrition on vascular wall thickness in ART-conceived children.
- To compare cardiovascular markers and dietary patterns between ART-conceived and naturally conceived children.
- To identify specific nutritional factors associated with vascular development in ART-conceived children.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study involving 83 three-year-old children (41 ART, 42 spontaneous conception).
- Measurement of carotid maximum intima-media thickness (max-cIMT) as a marker of vascular wall thickness.
- Assessment of dietary intake using 3-day food records and analysis of dietary patterns via k-means clustering in the ART group.
Main Results:
- ART-conceived children exhibited significantly higher max-cIMT compared to spontaneously conceived children.
- ART children demonstrated increased dietary intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA), total proteins, and animal proteins.
- Within the ART group, children with dietary patterns similar to the control group showed lower max-cIMT.
Conclusions:
- ART-conceived children present with a distinct dietary profile, characterized by higher SFA and protein consumption.
- Higher max-cIMT in ART children suggests potential cardiovascular remodeling differences linked to postnatal nutrition.
- Personalized nutritional recommendations are needed for ART-conceived children to address interindividual differences and support preventive medicine.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Research on the relationship between nutritional characteristics and their impact on cardiovascular remodeling in children conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART) is limited. We aimed to explore the influence of postnatal nutrition on vascular wall thickness in children conceived through ART, comparing them with a naturally conceived control group. Methods: A prospective observational cohort of 3-year-old children (n = 83) was analyzed, including 41 conceived ART and 42 spontaneously conceived. The carotid maximum intima-media thickness (max-cIMT), a strong predictor of myocardial infarction, was measured and dietary intake was assessed through 3-day food records. Dietary data were compared between groups, and the relationship between nutritional intake and max-cIMT were explored. In the ART group, the k-means clustering method identified distinct dietary patterns. Results: ART children showed significantly higher max-cIMT values, as well as increased dietary intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA), total proteins, and animal proteins compared to those spontaneously conceived. Three cluster groups were identified based on dietary intake in the ART group; those ART children whose dietary pattern closely resembled the control group exhibited lower max-cIMT values. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that ART children exhibited a distinct dietary pattern characterized by higher consumption of total and animal proteins and SFA, compared to those conceived naturally. Further research is required to unravel the interindividual differences among individuals conceived through ART, enabling the formulation of precise nutritional recommendations for personalized nutrition and preventive medicine.
