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Epicardial adipose tissue and signs of metabolic syndrome in children

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible correlation between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness and predictive parameters for metabolic syndrome (MS) in overweight/obese prepubertal children.

Methods

73 prepubertal children, average age of 8.22 years, with no endocrine or syndromic causes of obesity or under drug therapy for chronic disease were enrolled. Weight, height, body circumferences and skinfolds’ thickness were measured. BMI, BMI z score (z-BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) were calculated. Standard MS-related laboratory parameters were assessed. Finally, all children underwent echocardiographic measurement of EAT.

Results

A positive correlation between EAT and z-BMI was found only among overweight/obese children (r = 0.43, p = 0.001). In particular, data showed that 89 % of our sample had a waist (W) >90th percentile. Statistical differences in diastolic blood pressure (DBP; p < 0.01) and EAT (p = 0.02) were observed on comparing W <90th percentile vs W >90th percentile patients. Besides, in patients with W >90th percentile and family history of risk factors for MS, the value of EAT correlated positively with z-BMI, W, WtHR, triglycerides (Tg), insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and negatively with HDL.

Conclusions

The EAT and the markers of MS probably share the same pathogenetic factors. Further studies might elucidate whether EAT deserves to be included among the diagnostic factors of MS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Paediatric Dietetics and Nutrition, Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Neuropsychiatry, Rome “Sapienza” University, Viale Regina Elena 324, Rome, Italy

    Alessandra Piedimonte, Maria Podagrosi, Roberta Mercurio, Antonella Mosca & Andrea Vania

  2. Department of Experimental Medicine, Medical Pathophysiology, Rome “Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy

    Giuseppe Barbaro

  3. Department of Radiology, Rome “Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy

    Miriam D’Avanzo

Authors
  1. Giuseppe Barbaro
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  2. Alessandra Piedimonte
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  3. Maria Podagrosi
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  4. Roberta Mercurio
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  6. Miriam D’Avanzo
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  7. Andrea Vania
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Correspondence to Andrea Vania.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The study “Epicardial adipose tissue and signs of metabolic syndrome in children” by Andrea Vania and co-workers was approved by the ethics committee of Rome University’s Policlinico Umberto I, Italy

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Written informed consent were obtained from all participants.

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Barbaro, G., Piedimonte, A., Podagrosi, M. et al. Epicardial adipose tissue and signs of metabolic syndrome in children. Eat Weight Disord 21, 269–276 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-015-0221-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-015-0221-0

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