[Ultrasound measurements of intra-abdominal adiposity and factors associated with cardiovascular risk in obese children].
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular risk factors are commonly present in obese children.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association among radiological measurements of intra-abdominal adipose tissue, and cardiovascular risk factors, in prepuberal obese children.


METHODS
We evaluated 30 obese (body mass index > p95) children aged 6 to 12 years (15 males). Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured. Subcutaneous and intra-abdominal fat thickness and fat area were measured by ultrasound (US) and computed tomography. Serum insulin, glucose and lipid profile were measured in a fasting blood sample. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was calculated as an index of insulin resistance.


RESULTS
There was a significant correlation between US intra-abdominal fat thickness and HOMA (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), serum triglycerides (r = 0.46, p < 0.05) and with positive criteria for metabolic syndrome (r = 0.66, p < 0.01). A receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis showed that, above a cut-off of 45 mm for intra-abdominal fat thickness, US was able to identify insulin resistance with a sensibility and specificity of 79 and 69% respectively and metabolic syndrome with sensibility and specificity of 100 and 67% respectively. US and computed tomography measurements for intra-abdominal fat thickness were significantly correlated (r= 0.62, p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
US measurements of intra-abdominal fat thickness identify obesity-associated damage in childhood. Age-specific measurements of intra-abdominal adipose tissue may improve the detection power of this approach.
Reyes
Marcela
M
Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. mreyes@inta.cl
Espinoza
Aníbal
A
Rebollo
M Jesús
MJ
Moraga
Francisco
F
Mericq
Verónica
V
Castillo-Durán
Carlos
C
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055105:Waist Circumference
D008055:Lipids