Obesity in Egyptian children: Effect on cardiac function and dimensions

ObjectivesTo define the effect of obesity in Egyptian children on cardiac function and dimensions also to investigate the possible relation between obesity and other co-morbid cardiovascular risk factors.MethodsProspective descriptive study conducted over 15 months and included 44 children with xogenous obesity aged from 4 to 16 years with a mean of 8.54±2.4 years in addition to a healthy normal weight, matched age and sex 35 children as a control group. All study groups underwent clinical examination, lipid profile in addition to meticulous echocardiography study.ResultsBlood pressure was comparable in both groups and mean serum triglyceride level (though in the normal range) was significantly higher in the obese group with P=0.035. left ventricular wall thickness, mass and mass index were significantly higher in obese group compared to normal weight group with P value 0.001, 0.045 and 0.035 respectively. Myocardial diastolic function presented by isovolumetric relaxation time and E/A was significantly different in favor for the control group. However by correlating cardiac dimension with the lipid profile no significant relation could be elicited.ConclusionsObesity in the absence of dyslipidemia and hypertension (as co-morbid cardiovascular risk factors) is associated with increased left ventricular wall thickness and mass also it is a risk factor for left ventricle diastolic dysfunction