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Carotid intima-media thickness and its correlation with anthropometric and clinical variables in pediatric patients with obesity: An exploratory study

Aim: Mexico is currently ranked first in childhood obesity. Measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is an important diagnostic method to identify patients at risk of or already having frank atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine if there was a correlation between cIMT and anthropometric and clinical variables in pediatric patients with obesity. Methods: Anthropometric and clinical variables were collected from 28 pediatric patients with obesity between 10 and 18 years old who underwent measurement of cIMT. cIMT was measured using a Doppler ultrasound with a 7 MHz transducer. All measurements were made with the same Philips HD (Mode B) ultrasound by the same pediatric cardiologist. Statistical analysis was performed using the Spearman correlation coefficient and linear regression. Results: There was a significant correlation between the cIMT and both body mass index (BMI) and triceps skinfold thickness, but not with leptin, fasting glucose, or cholesterol levels. cIMT was ≥ 0.40 mm in 24 (85%) patients. Pre-hypertension was found in 16 (57%) and hypertension in 4 (14%). Cholesterol levels > 200 mg/dL were found in 6 (21%). cIMT was positively correlated with weight (rs = 0.412, p = 0.030), BMI (coefficient rs of 0.452 and p = 0.016), and triceps skinfold (coefficient rs of 0.396 and p= 0.037). Conclusions: Anthropometric measurements, including BMI and triceps skinfold thickness, should be used in the evaluation of the cardiovascular risk of the pediatric population with obesity.