Relation between Serum Homocysteine and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Obese Egyptian Children

Journal of Clinical and Basic Cardiology 2010; 13 (1-4): 8-11

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Keywords: carotid intima-media thickness,  children,  homocysteine,  LIPID,  obesity

atherosclerotic vascular changes and homocysteine in children. Measuring carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as a non-invasive marker of early arterial wall alteration is more widely used in adult clinical research but its value in children and adolescents is not clear. Objective: To assess CIMT and serum homocysteine levels in obese children and their relation with serum lipids and anthropometric parameters. Patients and Methods: This study included 41 healthy obese children compared with 41 healthy non-obese children matched in age, gender, and pubertal stage. We determined anthropometric parameters of obesity and sub-clinical atherosclerosis by CIMT measurement using high-resolution ultrasound, in addition to serum levels of homocysteine and lipids. Results: Higher values of CIMT, serum homocysteine, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were found in obese children compared to controls (p < 0.05). No correlation was documented between homocysteine and CIMT. Significant positive correlations were found between homocysteine/CIMT and anthropometric measurements as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressures. CIMT correlated negatively with HDL-C. Conclusion: Obese children presented increased CIMT, homocysteine, total cholesterol, and LDL-C, indicating a high-risk of endothelial dysfunction and early signs of atherosclerosis. So, these items should be monitored in obese children with emphasis on prevention of obesity and weight reduction.