Age-, Body Surface Area-, and Sex-Specific Reference Values for Pericardial Adipose Tissue in Children: An MRI Study
Shiganmo Azhe1, Wei Bai1, Ke Xu1
1Department of Radiology, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Insights
This study establishes reference values for pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) in healthy Chinese children, revealing developmental patterns and sex differences. These findings provide crucial data for assessing cardiovascular disease risk in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric cardiology
- Medical imaging
- Biometrics
Background:
- Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is a recognized cardiovascular disease risk factor in children.
- Normative data for PAT measurements (thickness, area, volume) using MRI are currently lacking in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish sex-, age-, and BSA-specific percentile reference values for MRI-derived PAT parameters in healthy Chinese children aged 3-18 years.
- To characterize the developmental trends and sex-specific differences in PAT measurements.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 218 healthy Chinese children aged 3-18 years, divided into two age groups (3-10 and 10-18 years).
- Cardiac MRI using a balanced steady-state free-precession cine sequence at 3.0 T was performed to assess PAT thickness, area, and volume.
- Statistical analyses included t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, Pearson correlation, generalized additive models, and ICC to determine reference values and correlations with age and BSA.
Main Results:
- PAT volume showed no significant sex difference in younger children but was higher in adolescent boys compared to girls.
- PAT thickness at the right ventricular free wall was greater in boys across both age groups.
- PAT volume demonstrated strong correlations with age (r=0.672) and body surface area (BSA) (r=0.741), with rapid growth observed between ages 10-14.
- Age- and BSA-specific percentile curves indicated progressive PAT increases, with steeper trends in boys.
- Excellent inter- and intra-observer agreement was achieved for most PAT measurements.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first sex-, age-, and BSA-specific reference values for pericardial adipose tissue in healthy Chinese children.
- The established normative data and observed developmental patterns/sex differences can inform future clinical assessments and research on pediatric cardiovascular health.
Background:
Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is a cardiovascular disease risk factor in children, but normative data for PAT thickness, area, and volume are lacking.
Purpose:
To establish the percentile reference values for MRI PAT parameters in healthy Chinese children aged 3-18.
Study Type:
Prospective.
Subjects:
218 healthy children divided into 3-10 years (n = 125, 62 males) and 10-18 years (n = 93, 53 males).
Field Strength/Sequence:
Balanced steady-state free-precession cine sequence at 3.0 T.
Assessment:
PAT thickness, area and volume.
Statistical Tests:
Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson correlation, the generalized additive model for location scale and shape, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
PAT volume showed no significant sex difference in the overall (boys: 32.7 ± 16.2 mL, girls: 28.2 ± 10.0 mL, p = 0.179) or childhood group (boys: 22.9 ± 7.9 vs. girls: 22.9 ± 6.6 mL, p = 0.954), but adolescent boys had a higher volume than girls (44.1 ± 15.9 vs. 36.9 ± 8.4 mL). PAT thickness at the right ventricular free wall (RVFW) was greater in boys across both age groups. PAT volume correlated strongly with age (r = 0.672) and BSA (r = 0.741). Age-specific percentile curves showed a progressive PAT volume increase with no clear plateau, with the most rapid growth between ages 10 and 14. BSA-specific curves revealed gradual PAT parameter increases, with steeper trends in boys. Good to excellent inter- and intra-observer agreement was observed for almost all PAT parameter measurements (95% CI > 0.75).
Conclusion:
This study proposes sex-, age-, and BSA-specific reference values for pericardial adipose tissue in healthy Chinese children and showed developmental patterns and sex differences that may have potential to inform future clinical and research applications.
Evidence Level:
2.
Technical Efficacy:
Stage 2.
