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Predictors of left ventricular mass and resting blood pressure in children: the Muscatine Study
K F Janz1, T L Burns, L T Mahoney
1Department of Sport, Health, and Leisure Studies, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Insights
Peak systolic blood pressure (SBP) independently predicts left ventricular mass (LVM) and resting SBP in preteen children. This finding suggests peak SBP may help predict future hypertension and related heart issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Left ventricular mass (LVM) and resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) are critical indicators of cardiovascular health in children.
- Identifying early predictors of elevated LVM and SBP is essential for preventing future cardiovascular disease.
- Pre-adolescence is a key developmental period where cardiovascular risk factors may emerge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictors of left ventricular mass (LVM) and resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) in preteen children.
- To assess the influence of body composition, physical fitness, and hormonal factors on LVM and SBP.
- To determine if peak SBP is an independent predictor of LVM and resting SBP.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiographic assessment of LVM and anthropometric measurements in 124 children (ages 7.9-12).
- Measurement of resting and peak SBP during maximal bicycle ergometry.
- Hormonal assays, Tanner staging, and physical activity surveys were conducted.
- Regression analysis was used to determine predictor variables for LVM and resting SBP, adjusting for body composition.
Main Results:
- Fat-free body mass, sum of skinfolds, and peak SBP explained 72% of LVM variability in boys.
- Fat-free body mass and peak SBP explained 69% of LVM variability in girls.
- Peak SBP was a significant independent predictor of both LVM and resting SBP in both sexes after adjusting for body composition.
Conclusions:
- Peak systolic blood pressure is a significant independent predictor of left ventricular mass and resting blood pressure in preteen children.
- Physical fitness and activity levels were not significant predictors of LVM or resting SBP.
- These findings suggest peak SBP may be a valuable marker for predicting subsequent hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy in children.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to determine predictors of left ventricular mass (LVM) and resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) in preteenage children. Subjects consisted of 124 children (7.9-12 yr) from Muscatine, Iowa. Methods consisted of echocardiographic examinations, random-zero SBP, hormone determination of serum androgens, physician's examination for Tanner stage, anthropometry, maximal bicycle ergometry, hand grip dynamometry, and a physical activity survey. Least square's regression analysis quantified the percentage of explained variability in LVM and resting SBP attributable to the predictor variables. All models were adjusted for body composition. In boys, 72% of the variability in LVM was explained by fat-free body mass (FFM), sum of skinfolds, and peak SBP. In girls, FFM and peak SBP explained 69% of the variability in LVM. Peak SBP was also a significant predictor of resting SBP in boys and girls. Study results indicated that physical fitness and physical activity are not significant predictors of LVM nor resting SBP; however, after adjusting for body composition, peak SBP was an independent predictor of LVM and resting SBP. This result suggests that peak SBP may aid in the prediction of subsequent hypertension and its complications such as left ventricular hypertrophy.