Early cerebrovascular disease in a 2-year-old with extreme obesity and complete metabolic syndrome due to feeding of excessively high amounts of energy

Eur J Pediatr. 2007 Jan;166(1):37-41. doi: 10.1007/s00431-006-0204-2. Epub 2006 Aug 22.

Abstract

A 2-year-old morbidly obese boy presented with early manifestation of vascular disease associated with several obesity-related features of the metabolic syndrome due to massive overfeeding. Ultrasound of the carotid arteries showed significant thickening of the intima media, perfusion magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicated cerebral microcirculation disturbance, and echocardiography revealed left ventricular hypertrophy. Thorough assessment of morbidly obese children seems to be of importance from early childhood on. Studies evaluating the prevalence of obesity-related metabolic and vascular comorbidities in very young morbidly obese children are warranted.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carotid Artery, Common / diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Artery, Common / pathology
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Hyperphagia / epidemiology*
  • Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / epidemiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Obesity, Morbid / epidemiology*
  • Tunica Intima / pathology
  • Tunica Media / pathology
  • Ultrasonography