Cross-Sectional Analysis of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children With Parental History of Premature Ischemic Heart Disease

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the presence of cardiovascular risk factors in children with a parental history of premature ischemic heart disease (two- or three-vessel disease diagnosed before the age of 55 in men and 65 in women). A prospective cross-sectional study was performed on 55 children. The following parameters were assessed: body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, blood pressure, lipids profile, fasting glucose (FG), C-reactive protein (CRP), and carotid intimal-medial thickness (CIMT). Twenty-eight children had hypercholesterolemia, and 11 had other forms of dyslipidemia. Sixteen children had a high BMI; 17 had increased CRP levels; 2 were hypertensive; and 2 had impaired FG. CIMT levels were not correlated with age (Pearson r = -0.486; p = 0.78) and height (Pearson r = -6.31; p = 0.84), but they were correlated with cholesterol levels (Spearman r = 0.375; p < 0.005). Most patients (83%) had ≥ 2 risk factors; half of them had ≥ 3 risk factors. We concluded that these at-risk children should be carefully screened for all known risk factors.