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