Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Previous studies reported conflicting results concerning the relationship between serum lipid levels and left ventricular geometry pattern. We sought to explore the relationship between standard serum lipid profile measures with left ventricular geometry pattern in obese children.
Patients and methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 70 obese children were examined. Fasting blood samples were taken to measure total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TGs), glucose, and insulin. Based on these values TG/HDL ratio, BMI and HOMA index were calculated. We also measured the average 24-h ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) and two-dimensional (2/D) transthoracic echocardiography was performed to determine left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT). Multiple regression analyses were conducted to explore relationships between study variables and the LVMI or RWT as outcome variables. The final model with LVMI included TG/HDL ratio, BMI, 24 h-average SBP, age and sex, while for the RWT we included BMI, insulin, age and sex.
Results: Our study included 70 children (65.71% boys and 34.29% girls) median age (14 years, IQR = 12-16)." We demonstrated independent and positive association of TG/HDL ratio, BMI and 24 h-average SBP with LVMI (effect = 3.65, SE = 1.32, p < 0.01; effect = 34.90, SE = 6.84, p < 0.01; effect = 0.32, SE = 0.12, p < 0.01, respectively). On the other hand, in model with RWT as outcome variable, only BMI and insulin were significantly linked (BMI: effect = 13.07, SE = 5.02, p = 0.01 Insulin: effect = 2.80, SE = 0.97).
Conclusion: Increased TG/HDL ratio in obese children is associated with the development of eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy while increased BMI and insulin were associated with concentric left ventricular hypertophy.
Keywords: Children; Left ventricular mass index; Obesity; Relative wall thickness; Triglycerides.