title: [Carotid intima-media thickness; normal values from 4 years].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study of the common carotid artery using ultrasound, ever has greater significance for the prevention, treatment and evaluation of the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Increased intima-media thickness is associated with the presence of other cardiovascular, cerebrovascular disease and the development of atherosclerosis in both adults and pediatric populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study in 202 healthy children aged between 4 and 15 years. It has been analyzed auxological data, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and carotid intima-media thickness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are 100 men and 102 women, with no differences among them about sex; it is shown graphical representations of the values of carotid intima-media thickness in the total sample and by gender. There is a positive correlation between carotid intima-media thickness with age (r = 0.229, p < 0.05), weight (r = 0.228, p < 0.05), height (r = 0.265, p > 0.01) and BMI (r = 0.212, p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification of modifiable risk factors should be our priority in clinical practice. Thus, in any health program it should be focused on reducing cardiovascular risk in children and adolescents by promoting a lifestyle of healthy eating and regularly physical exercise. Ultrasound measurement of carotid intima-media thickness is an added factor for an early identification of cardiovascular disease and its evolution in both adult and pediatric population.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Infantil Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, España. adearriba@salud.aragon.es
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Arriba Muñoz
authors.forename: María Mercedes
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Domínguez Cajal
authors.forename: José Ignacio
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Labarta Aizpún
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Domínguez Cunchillos
authors.forename: Esteban
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mayayo Dehesa
authors.forename: Ángel
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Ferrández Longás
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior