title: Abdominal coarctation and associated comorbidities in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to report a single institution's experience with abdominal coarctation in children and report associated comorbidities.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Abdominal coarctation is a rare condition, accounting for less than 2% of aortic coarctations. Single patients with abdominal coarctation have been reported with additional vascular disease in pediatric patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our echocardiography database between January 2001 and January 2012 was searched to identify all patients with abdominal coarctation. Relevant clinical data were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine patients were identified with abdominal coarctation. Median age at diagnosis was 4.7 years (IQR 1.1-14.3 years). Additional cardiac diagnoses were found in three patients: one had moderate aortic regurgitation and aortic root dilatation; one had mild aortic regurgitation, severe mitral regurgitation, and atrial flutter; and one had a thoracic coarctation previously repaired. Eight patients (89%) had an associated noncardiac comorbidity. Comorbidities included: Takayasu arteritis (n = 3), systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 1), epidermal nevus syndrome (n = 1), abdominal hemangioma (n = 1), Williams syndrome (n = 1), and renal artery stenosis (n = 2). Intervention was performed in four patients (57%): two underwent surgical grafting and two had angioplasty with stent placement. Patients with surgical grafting required no further intervention, whereas both patients who underwent angioplasty and stenting required further stent placement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abdominal coarctation is a rare anomaly. It is frequently associated with other vascular abnormalities. Vasculitis should be suspected in children with abdominal coarctation. All patients, even if treated, require continued close observation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind, USA.
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Parent
authors.forename: Edgard A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Bendaly
authors.forename: Roger A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hurwitz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Abdominal Coarctation; Children; Comorbidities; Vasculitis